THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) 鈥� A group of airlines that includes KLM, Delta and easyJet said Friday they are suing the Dutch government over its plans to reduce the number of flights from Amsterdam's busy Schiphol Airport.
The government said last year it was seeking a 鈥渘ew balance鈥� between the economic benefits provided by Schiphol and its impact on nearby residents and the environment. It is aiming to cut the number of flights per year from a half-million to 440,000.
鈥淚n addition to negatively impacting the Dutch economy, the capacity reduction would significantly reduce travel options and connectivity for consumers,鈥� the airlines taking legal action said in a statement.
They argue the reduced flights would violate European and international legislation, and say the aviation industry 鈥渋s already achieving significant results in relation to reducing CO2 emissions and lowering noise levels.鈥�
Aviation releases one-sixth of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by cars and trucks, according to World Resources Institute, a nonprofit research group based in Washington. However, far fewer people per day use airplanes.
The aviation industry has embraced a goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but .
KLM CEO Marjan Rintel said the Dutch carrier is 鈥渆mbracing the targets set for reducing noise levels and CO2 emissions, investing billions in fleet renewal鈥� while maintaining a network of flights reaching 170 destinations worldwide.
Delta Air Lines Executive Vice President External Affairs Peter Carter said in the joint statement that the U.S. carrier 鈥渟trongly objects鈥� to flight cuts at Schiphol and 鈥渋s committed to ambitious sustainability targets and wants to work collaboratively to meet these goals.鈥�
In a written statement emailed to The Associated Press, the Dutch government said it was aware of KLM and other carriers initiating legal proceedings.
鈥淎s we are currently facing a potential legal procedure, we cannot at this time respond to the arguments shared by KLM and other parties,鈥� the statement said.
鈥淲e remain committed to reducing the number of aircraft movements to an expected 440.000 by November 2024,鈥� the government said.
It was not clear when the summary case would be heard in a Dutch courtroom.
The Associated Press
