KLM will potentially have to terminate at least 30 destinations in its network if the Dutch government imposes the ‘green cap’ at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’ by November 2023.
The Dutch government plans on implementing a ‘green cap’ wherein flight movements will be limited to 440,000 annually (as opposed to its current 500,000).
This aims to reduce noise pollution and CO2 emissions. However, ‘the airline has argued that fleet renewal offers a better alternative’ as the green cap will ‘restrict the earning capacity of airlines wanting to invest in sustainability,’ reports TravelNews.
This will see KLM cutting out at least 25 short-haul flights and 5 long-haul flights, including Belgrade, Istanbul, Kyiv, Porto, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, Kuwait City, Muscat, Boston, Edmonton, Montreal, Osaka, Taipei, Hangzhou, and Xiamen.
Fleet renewal refers to replacing older aircraft with newer ones that have ‘the potential to halve noise pollution by 2030 and to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 15%. KLM CEO, Marjan Rintel says that ‘calculations show that fleet renewal is a better alternative for reducing noise and CO2 emissions. This implies that it is a better solution for all.’
Pictures: Getaway gallery
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