This is evident from research by the Vrije Universiteit (VU) and Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUAS), commissioned by Natuur & Milieu. They examined the so-called network quality indicator of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W). That is the lens through which The Hague looks at Schiphol, to determine whether the airport is large enough.
That method has flaws, the researchers say. Schiphol is now one of the largest airports in Europe and a ‘hub’ where passengers from all over come to connect. In 2023, travelers could fly from Schiphol to 305 unique destinations. Any expansion of that network is positive according to the network quality indicator.
But according to the research, practice looks very different. For example, flights with mainly transfer passengers add little value to the Dutch economy, while they do have a negative effect on society. After all, every flight causes noise pollution, nitrogen and climate damage. “In that case, such a flight is good for KLM,” says aviation economist Eric Pels (VU), “but not for the Netherlands.”
Not very disastrous
The researchers propose an indicator where the number of destinations is not a guideline. Instead, one takes the direct income for the Dutch economy, minus the external effects. According to this method, the shrinkage of Schiphol is not as disastrous as the aviation industry makes it out to be.
About 30 percent of Schiphol’s flights have no social benefit. This includes flights to Lima (Peru), Accra (Ghana), Detroit (United States) and Shanghai (China). “These are destinations to which, according to our data, few Dutch people fly,” says researcher Paul Peeters (BUAS). Conversely, flights to London, Munich, Madrid and Houston, for example, add a lot to society.
The Ministry of I&W was not yet able to respond to the investigation on Tuesday.
This is the second study in a short time that examines the social value of Schiphol. SEO and CE Delft previously concluded that shrinking Schiphol would not necessarily be bad for the Netherlands. According to the research, a higher flight tax, also for transfer passengers, would be best for broad prosperity.
