European airport to enforce flight caps from 2023 – and it’s going to affect your cheap holidays
AN AIRPORT in Europe is introducing a permanent flight cap from 2023 - and it isn't good news for your cheap breaks.
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport has introduced the new restriction on the number of flights from next year due to environmental and noise concerns.
However, the airport is one of the biggest for connecting flights, and is the second busiest airport in Europe behind Charles de Gaulle in France.
Brits often travel via Amsterdam for cheaper connecting flights in Europe, or to use it as a connection for long-haul journeys.
This is because it can be a cheaper option for holidaymakers who travel from regional airports such as Manchester or Bristol, with it often more affordable to travel via Amsterdam rather than London Heathrow.
The flight cap will only allow 440,000 flights a year to depart from the airport, down from pre-pandemic numbers of 500,000 a year.
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The new plans mean not only will there be fewer flights to choose from, but they will also be more expensive.
The flight cap will be enforced from November 2023.
Infrastructure Minister Mark Harbers said the airport no longer wants to encourage cheap transfer flights.
He told : "That’s no longer what this cabinet is aiming for.
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“Schiphol has raised the rates for the airlines but we are also going to raise the flight tax.
"Through these measures you know that Schiphol will no longer be a cheap transfer island between airports.”
Heathrow Airport has currently enforced a flight cap due to staff shortages, which is in place until October.
The airport is currently limiting their daily flights to 100,000, down from 104,000.
However, the boss of Heathrow has warned they could be enforced again next summer.
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Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye said: "It’s absolutely possible that we could have another summer with a cap still in place.
"It’s going to take 12 to 18 months, and not just at Heathrow. This is not going to be a quick fix."
