Netherlands scraps plan to cap flights at Amsterdam Schiphol
The US Transportation Department has welcomed the decision by the Netherlands government to ditch plans to cap flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
It was hailed as the ‘right decision’ by the US DOT’s Polly Trottenberg.
The US had made its opposition clear to the Netherlands and had hinted at retaliation.
US airline JetBlue was set to lose its new slots at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport if the flight cap went ahead.
The Dutch government confirmed it has abandoned plans to reduce flights at the airport after protests by airlines.
It had announced plans to reduce the number of flights from 500,000 to 460,000 next summer.
However, it could revisit the issue in the future.
Minister for Infrastructure and Water Mark Harbers said the initial phase of the plan has been shelved ‘until further notice.’
The planned flight cap was to help reduce noise and air pollution
US trade group Airlines for America welcomed the decision and thanked the US government for ‘issuing a very strong order outlining the violations of the US-EU Air Transport Agreement.’
Related News Stories:
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled