Response by Schiphol to Labour Authority decision

Good working conditions and a healthy workplace have been prioritised in the new course Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has charted. Many improvements have been made over the years, but things have to be done quicker and better. As we said following previous Labour Authority reports on the decision: it is unfortunate that we and the sector have not been sufficiently successful in solving this ourselves and that the Labour Inspectorate has to get involved. Schiphol and partners are currently making progress when it comes to taking measures, conducting research and implementing innovations. 

Measures to reduce emissions   

Schiphol is working to reduce emissions and exposure of employees to these emissions. Collaboration is of the essence to make improvements in the airport. The airport is doing so in consultation with the aviation sector, national government and knowledge institutions. This means Schiphol is working on a comprehensive package of measures together with other employers. This is a complex challenge, as some of the required solutions − technological or otherwise − aren’t always available yet.    

At Schiphol we are working on:   

• Measures on the apron to remove the source of emissions, such as the more stringent rules on taxiing using fewer engines and on auxiliary engine use, which are in place as of this year.     
• Measures to increase the distance between the source of emissions and employees, such as adjusting departure procedures (effective at the first two gates as of this year). In the course of 2024, the aviation sector will submit a joint action plan to adjust the departure procedures at Schiphol in the years ahead.   
• Experimental research into filtering and cleaning the air on and close to the apron, thereby improving air quality. Last autumn, for example, Schiphol conducted its first air filtration pilot at the fire station. In February, a follow-up pilot on outdoor use of the filtration system will start on the Pier D apron. 

Read more at: Schiphol.nl/ultrafijnstof

We are taking the new insights from the report published by the Labour Authority today very seriously and will study them. Regardless of this, Schiphol will do its utmost to minimise exposure to kerosine engine emissions. 

Background information 

In May 2023, the Netherlands Labour Authority published a draft decision with proposed requirements regarding kerosene engine emissions and the improvement of working conditions at Schiphol. Schiphol, other parties in the aviation sector and stakeholders were asked to submit their views on this. The Dutch Labour Authority has now taken a final decision, which Schiphol will study.