The protest was part of a day of protests in and around the airport organized by environmental groups Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion to protest greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution caused by the airport and aviation industry. No commercial flight delays were reported as of early afternoon. “We want fewer flights, more trains and a ban on unnecessary short-haul flights and private jets,” said Greenpeace Netherlands campaign chief Dewi Zloch. The environmental group says Schiphol is the biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the Netherlands, emitting 12 billion kilograms a year. Hundreds of other protesters in and around the airport’s main concourse carried signs reading “Restrict Aviation” and “More Trains”. Responding to the protest, Schiphol said it aims to become an emission-free airport by 2030 and supports targets for the aviation industry to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Military police in charge of airport security said in a statement that they “made a series of arrests of people who were on airport property without permission.” The Dutch government announced plans in June to cap annual passengers at the airport at 440,000, about 11 percent below 2019 levels, citing air pollution and climate concerns. Transport Minister Mark Harbors told parliament last month his office could not control the growing private jet traffic and the government is considering whether to include the issue in its climate policy. Reporting by Toby Sterling Editing by Toby Chopra and Helen Popper Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
