Reservation for parallel Kaagbaan definitively cancelled

Reservation for parallel Kaagbaan definitively cancelled

Last year, Schiphol welcomed the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management's (IenW) decision to definitively cancel the reservation for a new runway parallel to the Kaagbaan Runway. Schiphol also announced this in its 8-point plan to make aviation quieter, cleaner and better. Since then, a consultation has taken place to give interested parties the chance to react to the decision made by the Ministry of IenW. Given that no new arguments were put forward, the decision was presented to parliament. As of today (1 July 2024), the reservation is definitively cancelled.

Land had been reserved for the construction of a parallel Kaagbaan for more than 20 years. That placed unnecessary pressure on the already scare space in the area. Research done in 2019 showed that a second Kaagbaan would not reduce noise nuisance, only relocate it. Furthermore, Schiphol considered an extra runway undesirable and therefore asked the Dutch government to cancel the land reservation.

A quieter, cleaner and better Schiphol
This request was also in Schiphol's 8-point plan, presented last year, to make Schiphol quieter, cleaner and better. In addition to Schiphol not wanting an extra runway, the plan also includes banning private jets, a night curfew, deterring the noisiest aircraft and investing up to 10 million per year until 2030 in an Environmental Fund.

Environmental Fund
The first steps have been taken in establishing this Environmental Fund, which is the successor to the Schiphol Living Environment Foundation. In the coming period, the organisation will be shaped further and will get an independent board and Supervisory Board. Royal Schiphol Group will be the chair of the Supervisory Board.

The overarching goal of the Environmental Fund is to improve the quality of the living environment around Schiphol. Especially in the areas where there are high noise levels and where nuisance-reducing measures in the air have insufficient effect. The Environmental Fund finances specific landside measures, such as area development, but also invests in research into innovative and technological developments that have a positive effect on liveability.

The Environmental Fund is expected to be active in 2025.