Transavia stunned by unilateral cabinet plan to reduce flight movements
Transavia, along with other companies in the sector, stands with the government in making aviation more sustainable. Transavia is caught off guard by this rigorous government plan to sharply shrink Schiphol. This proposed shrinkage is not in line with the coalition agreement. It further affects the Dutch holidaymaker. This intention will make the accessibility and accessibility of holidays to sun destinations unattainable for the ordinary Dutchman. Shrinkage Schiphol has large negative flown and is at odds with coalition agreement.
The government's rigorous plan to shrink Schiphol is dramatic for Transavia and for the Dutch holidaymaker. Transavia has been the Netherlands' largest holiday airline for more than 55 years. Dutch people know how to find Transavia to take them to friends, family or beautiful destinations. This perspective harms the government in a serious way. Flying connects people and cultures, which is of great importance on a European level, and free movement of people within the EU is one of the pillars on which the success of the European Union is based. This cabinet's intention detracts from that right for Dutch people.
Transavia has made large investments in a more sustainable fleet, in line with agreements with the government, in which we invest, among other things, in aircraft that are up to 50% quieter, 50% less nitrogen and emit up to approx. 16% less CO2. To be able to make those investments, we need a permanent perspective for the longer term, which the government is now drawing a line through and which will hit us and other Dutch airlines hard. We must be able to rely on stable policy and a government that is consistent in its decision-making. Forcing contraction without dialogue beforehand and without proper substantiation does not fit in with this. Apart from today's announcement, Transavia has yet to see anything of this on paper or worked out. We await that.
The perspective previously offered was 540,000 aircraft movements and that is what our sustainable investments are based on. Going back to 440,000, amounts to a 20% reduction. Especially now that in recent weeks it has become clear that the Netherlands has a great need for the possibility to go on holiday by plane. We believe that the government should advocate sustainability measures that do have an effect, such as stimulating the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), committing to Single European Skies and encouraging electrification of ground processes. Improvement and sustainability are done by investing in making flying more sustainable, not by taking away the holidays of the Dutch.
This press release was translated using automated tools. Please refer to the original Dutch version for the most accurate information.