Transavia to Leave Schiphol If It Closes Overnight

DALLAS — According to Transavia (HV) CEO Marcel de Nooijer, the LCC is considering the possibility of exiting the Netherlands' main hubif plans to close Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (AMS) during overnight hours are implemented.

One year ago, the airport introduced measures to improve the quality of life in the area, including a ban on flights departing between midnight and 6 a.m., and restrictions on scheduled or non-emergency arrivals between midnight and 5 a.m.

Further, KLM (KL) and other airlines are expected to cut their schedules at AMS starting this summer, as efforts to limit flights to reduce noise pollution in surrounding communities move forward.

The government of the Netherlands has been allowed by a Dutch appeals court to reduce annual flights at the airport to 460,000 from its current cap of 500,000, then eventually to 440,000. KL, which operates a large and successful hub at AMS, will have to adjust its schedule to efficiently use its remaining slots.

The NL Times reports that De Nooijer stated on the radio program Sven op 1 that no options are off the table at this point. He emphasized the airline's connection to the Netherlands as a subsidiary of KL and highlighted the growth Transavia has experienced in the country. Moving the operations to another location would have significant consequences due to the complexity of the transition.

Of Noise and Emissions

Initially, the airport planned to implement the overnight closure in the fall of 2025. However, th NL times says reports have surfaced stating that the airport is considering advancing the plan to April 1, 2025. De Nooijer claimed that HV holds 73 percent of all AMS slots between midnight and 5 a.m. and stated, "We are the major consumer of that part."

Transavia has strongly opposed the overnight closure plans, which aim to reduce noise pollution and carbon emissions. De Nooijer argued that a night closure is unnecessary since the airline's new aircraft are quieter than the current ones.

Similarly, KL had put forth a three-part plan to decrease noise levels while maintaining the same number of flights at AMS. One aspect of the plan involved encouraging the use of quieter, newer-generation aircraft by offering incentives. KLM has already placed an order for 100 Airbus A320neos and A321neos to replace its smaller and older Boeing 737s.

Impact on Ticket Affordability

The budget airline has built a significant portion of its business model around utilizing overnight take-off and landing slots, which are typically unpopular. This strategy allows the LCC to keep prices relatively low, even during peak travel seasons. Additionally, overnight hours are crucial for airlines to maximize the utilization of their aircraft and generate revenue.

De Nooijer explained that operating aircraft three times a day is important for maximizing seat capacity and ensuring affordable flights. The nighttime operations play a vital role in achieving this goal. Of course, it seem impossible that an LCC would leave its home country, but it is subsidiary of KL, a mainline airline that's not happy with AMS recent operational proposals.

The featured image is of a Transavia PH-HXA Boeing 737-800.