Dutch court says the government must do more to rein in noise pollution at Amsterdam's busy airport
A Dutch court says the government has systematically put the interests of the aviation sector above those of people who live near Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Dutch government has systematically put the interests of the aviation sector above those of people who live near Schiphol Airport, one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs, a Dutch court ruled Wednesday, saying that the treatment of local residents amounts to a breach of Europe's human rights convention.
“The state has always prioritized the ‘hub function’ and the growth of Schiphol,” The Hague District Court said, as it ordered authorities to do more to rein in noise pollution.
The court ruling was the latest development in long-running efforts to rein in noise pollution and nuisance caused by the airport on the outskirts of Amsterdam. Late last year, the government shelved plans to rein in flights following protests from countries including the United States and warnings that the move could breach European law and aviation agreements.
“The judge’s decision is crystal clear: more attention must be paid to local residents and the reduction of noise pollution. That was already the government’s commitment, and we will study the verdict,” the ministry for infrastructure and water said in a written response.
The national public health institute estimates that around 259,000 people in the Netherlands experience “serious nuisance” from aircraft flying over the densely populated country.
Wednesday's court ruling ordered the government to properly enforce existing noise pollution laws and regulations within a year and to provide “practical and effective legal protection for all people who experience serious inconvenience or sleep disturbance due
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