Consultation Balanced Approach Schiphol

Balanced Approach procedure

The ‘Balanced Approach’ procedure must be conducted when an EU member state wishes to implement noise-related operating restrictions on an airport with more than 50,000 aircraft movements per year. The cabinet’s decision contains such operating restrictions, which means the Balanced Approach procedure must be followed according to European legislation and regulations. This procedure starts with setting a goal for reducing noise abatement. Measures that can contribute to achieving the noise abatement objective then need to be identified. The sequence in which these measures are identified, and implemented if possible, is:

• measures at the source;
• measures in land-use planning and management;
• measures in operational procedures;
• operating restrictions.

This identification process, including analysis for cost-effectiveness, has already been completed. According to the Balanced Approach procedure, we are now starting a broad consultation in which everyone can respond to the consultation document attached.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is organising digital information sessions for further explanation of the combinations of possible measures. Registering for these sessions is possible on luchtvaartindetoekomst.nl once the dates are published.

What is the purpose of this consultation?

The consultation document presents three combinations of possible measures with sufficient impact to achieve the noise abatement objective. Participants in this consultation are invited to respond to the selection, composition, effect and desirability of the three combinations of measures that are presented. Participants are also invited to propose alternative measures or alternative combinations of measures that could achieve the noise abatement objective and can be achieved by November 2024.

Responses received will be considered when choosing the final combination of measures. Depending on the chosen combination, the consequences will be different. Finally, the chosen combination will be presented to the European Commission for advice with the intention of then implementing it.

To whom is this important?

• Area residents, because the measures are intended to reduce the noise abatement from Schiphol;
• Schiphol and airlines, because the combination of possible measures will affect the operation and capacity of Schiphol Airport;
• For the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), because the combination of possible measures will have consequences for the operational processes of the ILT and LVNL. Because of this, they will perform implementation tests on the combinations of possible measures;
• For the Omgevingsraad Schiphol (ORS)/Maatschappelijke Raad Schiphol (MRS) [Schiphol regional council]. The ORS, which will become the MRS on 1 July, is a social council concerned with the policy on the quality of the living environment in the Schiphol region.
• The Bestuurlijke Regie Schiphol (BRS), because the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management works with the BRS on social issues in the Schiphol region. The BRS consists of 56 municipalities and 4 provinces in the Schiphol region.

What are the consequences?

The consultation provides the opportunity to respond to the three combinations of possible measures. Responses received will be considered when choosing the final combination of measures. Depending on the chosen combination, the consequences will be different. The chosen combination will be presented to the European Commission for advice with the intention of then implementing it and establishing it in regulations.

Your response

You have until 15 June 2023 to respond to the three combinations of possible measures, as mentioned in the consultation document below.

This instruction guideline describes the steps that need to be taken to leave your response. 

Click here to submit your response.