No less than 38 percent of air traffic from Schiphol flew to a destination no further than 750 kilometers. In total, this involves more than 200.000 flights annually to and from the largest airport in the Netherlands. This has emerged from research by consultancy firm Royal HaskoningDHV on behalf of an environmental organization Greenpeace.

London in particular is a popular destination. Throughout the year, a flight to the English capital leaves on average every 2,6 minutes. For example, nearly XNUMX million people flew from the Netherlands to one of London's six airports.

According to sources that have been introduced, the total CO2 emissions of departing short flights from the Dutch airport last year was 1,78 megatons. If arriving short flights are also taken into account, this concerns 3,48 megaton CO2 emissions.

Cut some 89.000 short flights every year

By improving the existing track, the international timetable and the ticket service alone, the number of train passengers for 31 European destinations will double. This means that some 89.000 short flights at Schiphol can be canceled every year. 

This has emerged from a study by engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV commissioned by Greenpeace, Nature and Environment Federation Noord-Holland and Nature & Environment. If international train travel is improved, the expansion of aviation in the Netherlands will not be necessary at all.

Also read: Schiphol is committed to increasing commuter traffic by bicycle