JetBlue Losing Amsterdam Schiphol Slots In 2024

JetBlue Losing Amsterdam Schiphol Slots In 2024

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It looks like JetBlue will be forced to cancel its service to Amsterdam in the coming months…

Amsterdam Schiphol capacity cuts impact JetBlue

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will see a reduced annual flight cap introduced in 2024. This comes as the Dutch government has made the decision of implementing a new “green” flight cap at the country’s largest airport. With this, as of the summer of 2024, Schiphol Airport will be restricted to 452,500 annual flights, down from the current cap of 500,000 flights.

Personally I find the justification for this change questionable. I can appreciate the need to work toward climate goals, but it seems to me like incentivizing the use of more efficient aircraft makes more sense than a blanket flight cap with no other considerations.

As you’d expect, a reduction in annual flights at the airport means that airlines will have to start cutting service. We now have a sense of what that will look like, as Airport Coordination Netherlands (ACNL), which is responsible for allocating slots at the airport, has revealed what will be changing.

The expectation is that as of the summer of 2024, the following restrictions will be added:

  • 24 airlines without historical rights and slots at the airport (including JetBlue) will not be granted any takeoff or landing slots at the airport
  • Airlines with historical rights and slots at the airport will need to reduce their traffic by 3.1%, as the first stage of capacity cuts

JetBlue launched flights to Amsterdam in the summer of 2023, out of Boston and New York. The airline was able to convince regulators to give the airline slots, and the airline offers this service year-round. However, JetBlue will soon have to cancel flights.

JetBlue will have to cancel flights to Amsterdam Schiphol

JetBlue demands KLM have JFK slots taken away

JetBlue is now arguing the Department of Transportation (DOT) should ban Dutch flag carrier KLM from New York JFK Airport, as a reciprocal action. As the airline has stated in a filing:

“If the Dutch Government is allowed to effectively expel new entrant JetBlue from AMS without facing any consequential and proportional countermeasures from the Department, other governments may decide to follow suit.”

I understand JetBlue is making every argument possible to try to keep its slots, but the airline is really grasping at straws here:

  • KLM is more impacted by these slot reductions than any other airline, and is a privately owned airline
  • KLM is totally against these capacity cuts, arguing that “this is very harmful for KLM and endangers the network that connects the Netherlands with the rest of the world”
  • JetBlue was a new entrant at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, while KLM has been flying to New York Kennedy Airport for decades
  • New York Kennedy Airport isn’t currently cutting slots, so banning KLM would be purely punitive
  • The new flight caps aren’t in any way anti-US or anti-JetBlue, but rather it’s logical that if you have to start cutting slots, you start with those that were most recently issued, that don’t come with historical rights

So while I’m absolutely not in favor of these new flight caps, and while I can appreciate JetBlue’s frustration, JetBlue’s “revenge” argument seems weak.

JetBlue wants to kick KLM out of New York Kennedy

Bottom line

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will see the introduction of a new flight cap as of the summer of 2024, meaning capacity at the airport has to be reduced by roughly 10%. We’ve finally found out what those flight cuts will look like. The two dozen newest entrants to the airport will have to cut service, while existing airlines with historical rights to fly there will have to cut service by 3.1%.

What do you make of the way Amsterdam Schiphol slots are being reduced?

Conversations (85)
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  1. Exit Row Seat Guest

    On November 2, the US Dept of Transportation approved complaints by JetBlue Airways and trade group Airlines for America (A4A) against the government of the Netherlands and European Union for alleged violations related to capacity cuts at Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

    I'm sure several other governments and airlines will complain.

    Looks like a diplomatic cat fight in the making!!

  2. Michael Guest

    I’ve seen a couple of others mention this: why not Brussels? I recall in the 70s and 80s a lot of US carriers flew to Brussels (and SABENA served several US cities). Might it be more economical and rather smart for JetBlue to try JFK and BOS nonstops to Brussels? It’s a great city itself, and just a short train ride to either Amsterdam or Paris (or Luxembourg, Rotterdam, or Düsseldorf). There’s already tons of competition to AMS and CDG from both cities anyway.

  3. Zach Guest

    I expect JetBlue will probably end up in Brussels if this spat with Schipol continues.

  4. BZ Guest

    Go woke. Go broke. Europe is a joke!

  5. iamhere Guest

    JetBlue should find a different place in Europe to fly to rather than argue with this decision. Ultimately this decision by the Dutch government will hurt the Netherlands as fewer people will change planes there and visit and will choose other places. Their argument is not good because KLM is not a new airline to JFK.

    1. Kam Guest

      Many go thru AMS then continue on to different parts of Europe and go back thru there when returning because departure taxes are done off the cheapest. Let’s face it, if it’s a dime cheaper people will go that route. They won’t lose business at all

  6. HinATL Guest

    Agreed that I’m not sure why the Delta-KLM JV is allowed to stand if no new entrants are allowed into AMS. DOT should revoke that immediately.

  7. Ben Guest

    Absolute joke. jetBlue provides a MUCH better service than KLM or DL so why punish the "smaller" guy. Since jetBlue began flying international, they became my airline of choice. The service not only in their "Mint" cabin, but the main cabin beats any garbage provided by DL, KLM or AA

  8. Bioll Guest

    You need to make it clear. jetblue did not lose all its rights. Only the summer slots. They still have permanent winter slots.

  9. Jacob Guest

    Amsterdam is overrated anyways. Dubai is better.

  10. Marcel Guest

    Why is everyone here so upset with traffic reduction? Isn’t it the hottest and most devastating year on record? We just can’t get more of everything every year anymore! Other airports should follow Schipol! And JetBlue is flying narrowbodies with limited number of pax, high density aircraft should be prioritized today as they produce less CO2 per pax. End of story!

    1. XPL Diamond

      With views like those Marcel, I wonder what value you get out of a points and miles blog. Or are you just here to troll?

    2. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      Why is everyone here so upset with traffic reduction?

      Because most of us recognize it for the B.S. that it is. It's just pandering.

      Done completely in a vacuum, isn't going to discourage people from traveling (they'll just transit through other hubs), does nothing to incentivize greater efficiency or capacity-in-lieu of frequency.....

      ....and most of all: perpetuates the completely uninformed notion that aviation is somehow an outlier in its contribution to global emissions,...

      Why is everyone here so upset with traffic reduction?

      Because most of us recognize it for the B.S. that it is. It's just pandering.

      Done completely in a vacuum, isn't going to discourage people from traveling (they'll just transit through other hubs), does nothing to incentivize greater efficiency or capacity-in-lieu of frequency.....

      ....and most of all: perpetuates the completely uninformed notion that aviation is somehow an outlier in its contribution to global emissions, when compared to nearly all other forms-- it's actually among the most efficient.

      And yes, that includes electric trains, because so few people put even 5seconds of though as to where the electricity to power those trains comes from, and the emissions that went into its generation.

    3. Frog Guest

      This isn’t just about CO2 emissions. Schiphol is an outsized airport for a city the size of Amsterdam (or a country the size of NL). Amsterdam has amongst the worst air quality in Europe and flight traffic around the city is a major contributing factor.

      This is a excellent move by the Dutch government to protect the health and well being of their citizens.

  11. Terry Kozma Guest

    This is the airline to cut. In addition to being new entrant the passenger count on their aircraft is far too low. The world will be just fine without jet Blue

  12. derek Guest

    JetBlue's argument has some merit. What if Black people were barred from being President because they have no historical record of being President before Obama?

    No, all airlines should be cut 3% and not single out newer airlines to be banned.

    The US should ban all airlines with roots before 1920, which would just be KLM, haha

  13. Ryan Guest

    Time for the DOT to revoke Delta and KLM’s anti-trust immunity. The joint venture is predicated on open skies, where any US airline can fly to any Dutch airport (and v.v.). If the Dutch are now in violation of that treaty by blocking new entrants, then the JV must go.

    1. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      Sad, but true.

      "Open Skies" and ensuing ATI should've never been granted to Japan as well, for similar reason in TYO.

    2. Anon lawyer Guest

      Agree fully. Hard to justify a special exemption from antitrust laws when there isn't open access to relevant markets for new entrants to compete. Seems like a material change in circumstances that justifies revoking the exemption.

  14. Kevin Guest

    Hey Ben, quick correction for you: Airfrance-KLM is not fully privatized. The Dutch government owns 9.3% of the company, with France controlling another 28.6%.

    This definitely increases the likelihood of state interference and protectionism of KLM by the airport authority’s actions.

  15. Steven J Johnson Guest

    “ New York Kennedy Airport isn’t currently cutting slots, so banning KLM would be purely punitive”

    JFK demanded all airlines cut 10-15% of its flight to JFK so yeah, they are currently reducing slots. If all KLM slots were reallocated, the reduction to airlines and countries who abide by the open skies agreement would be much less.

    1. Tim Dunn Diamond

      actually, the US didn't DEMAND flight cuts. It strongly suggested that airlines cut capacity and offered protection from slot rules for those that complied but the US didn't demand anything.
      And the cuts came off the backs of US carriers; I don't know of any foreign carriers that cut their schedules because of US ATC restrictions - but I could be wrong.
      I see JBLU's argument in that regard but there are only...

      actually, the US didn't DEMAND flight cuts. It strongly suggested that airlines cut capacity and offered protection from slot rules for those that complied but the US didn't demand anything.
      And the cuts came off the backs of US carriers; I don't know of any foreign carriers that cut their schedules because of US ATC restrictions - but I could be wrong.
      I see JBLU's argument in that regard but there are only so many dragons that any company can successfully take on at a time. JBLU is stretched beyond its limit

  16. Ric Guest

    Instead of banning KLM (which is privately owned and not the guilty party here) why not go for the kill and threaten to cancel or renegotiate the US-NL Open Skies Agreement. I think that would send a much stronger message to The Hague and I’m sure the silly new game the Dutch Govt is playing will end fast.

    1. Ryan Guest

      It’s a treaty with the EU, so it may not be possible to rescind open skies only for the Netherlands. The DOT could however rescind the anti-trust immunity granted to the Delta-KLM joint venture, as it’s inappropriate to grant monopoly power to these two airlines when the Dutch government is intentionally excluding new entrants from the marketplace.

    2. Exit Row Seats Guest

      Air France KLM may be a private company in concept. However, the governments of France and the Netherlands have substantial influence in the holding company via the number of shares and seats at the director's table (as per AIR FRANCE KLM shareholding structure web page):

      - Other (registered and bearer shares) - 44.2%
      - French State - 28.6%
      - Dutch State - 9.3%
      - CMA CGM - 9%
      - China Eastern...

      Air France KLM may be a private company in concept. However, the governments of France and the Netherlands have substantial influence in the holding company via the number of shares and seats at the director's table (as per AIR FRANCE KLM shareholding structure web page):

      - Other (registered and bearer shares) - 44.2%
      - French State - 28.6%
      - Dutch State - 9.3%
      - CMA CGM - 9%
      - China Eastern Airlines - 4.7%
      - Delta Air Lines - 2.9%
      - Employees (FCPE) - 1.2%
      -Treasury shares - 0.1%

  17. John Guest

    Let’s be clear, in the context of open skies, a refusal for new service at the country’s only hub is tantamount to a violation. If the Dutch government wants to force a US carrier from flying into AMS, then the U.S. should retaliate against a Dutch carrier. The Biden administration talks a big game about protecting American workers and union jobs. Time for them to put up or shut up by standing up for JetBlue.

  18. Mantis Gold

    Build 6 runways, then development (voluntarily) expands around airport, then make draconian cuts to the airport capacity because of "noise"? BS. If the climate zealots in govt want to commit economic suicide, there will be repercussions in a global economy.

    JetBlue is right to push for KLM cuts, it's really the only lever they have to punish the dutch government, even if KLM says they are against cuts (though we all know that incumbent...

    Build 6 runways, then development (voluntarily) expands around airport, then make draconian cuts to the airport capacity because of "noise"? BS. If the climate zealots in govt want to commit economic suicide, there will be repercussions in a global economy.

    JetBlue is right to push for KLM cuts, it's really the only lever they have to punish the dutch government, even if KLM says they are against cuts (though we all know that incumbent airlines benefit from government regulations, and especially so at a slot restricted airport).

  19. Monica Guest

    Probably none of you live in Amsterdam so you don't really get it. But i do. It's not about CO2, it's about quality of life for the residents.

    In very windy days (let's say 30 days of the year total), runway 22 directly above my house is used for landings, and planes, mostly narrow bodies fly over.. it becomes annoying after a couple of hours (and i have triple glassed windows). And that's mostly with...

    Probably none of you live in Amsterdam so you don't really get it. But i do. It's not about CO2, it's about quality of life for the residents.

    In very windy days (let's say 30 days of the year total), runway 22 directly above my house is used for landings, and planes, mostly narrow bodies fly over.. it becomes annoying after a couple of hours (and i have triple glassed windows). And that's mostly with engines in idle 2500 ft above ground.

    Earlier this year, i went to a friend's BBQ in Amstelveen and for takeoffs runway 09 was being used. Imagine being hammered by 777, 787, A380, 747, A330 at 1000ft-1500ft above your head taking off full power non-stop, hour after hour every 3 minutes or so. Just like the people there, you will hate it on the first day... no matter what your opinion is today of the matter. I invite you to live immediately after the head of a takeoff runway for a few years in JFK for example and then give your opinion.

    I love aviation almost as much as my husband, but for the people living in areas where runways didn't exist before and where created to cater to the industry, it's permanent hell. And it's not as simple as saying "move somewhere else". The people there don't care about JetBlue, or United, or Delta... but neither about KLM. And if there can be less flights to have a livable life... good.

    A little bit of empathy.

    1. Matthew Whitehouse Guest

      Great, local perspective. Thank you!

    2. Mantis Gold

      Which was there first, the runway, or your house?

    3. Monica Guest

      My house! And if we use this argument... Amsterdam was founded waaay BEFORE Schiphol became the monster it is today!

    4. Brad B Guest

      Did you purchase your house before or after AMS was a monster?

      It's one thing if the airport was out there after you purchased your house but if you willingly decided to move next to a major international airport and then complain about the noise I have zero sympathy

    5. Mantis Gold

      I doubt it unless you live in a historical farm house. In any case, the time to fight that was when airport and runways were planned. What did you expect would happen? Noise at an airport , shocking! And Schiphol is 10 miles from historical city center. The city expanded towards Schiphol. So you build around the airport, then complain about noise. No sympathy, sorry. Just move if you don't like where you live. I've...

      I doubt it unless you live in a historical farm house. In any case, the time to fight that was when airport and runways were planned. What did you expect would happen? Noise at an airport , shocking! And Schiphol is 10 miles from historical city center. The city expanded towards Schiphol. So you build around the airport, then complain about noise. No sympathy, sorry. Just move if you don't like where you live. I've moved at least 20 times in my life. You're not a climate refugee.

    6. Monica Guest

      I don't give a peanut about the climate.. don't fool yourself.
      The oldest airline in the world (surprise surprise: KLM) was founded in 1919. My house in Amsterdam is from the late 1800 (as most of the houses in downtown Amsterdam are). We didn't "choose" to live next to Schiphol.

      Don't feel sorry or sympathy for us.. we don't feel sorry for you or your airlines. The less flights we can have in Amsterdam,...

      I don't give a peanut about the climate.. don't fool yourself.
      The oldest airline in the world (surprise surprise: KLM) was founded in 1919. My house in Amsterdam is from the late 1800 (as most of the houses in downtown Amsterdam are). We didn't "choose" to live next to Schiphol.

      Don't feel sorry or sympathy for us.. we don't feel sorry for you or your airlines. The less flights we can have in Amsterdam, from whomever, United, Delta, American, Turkish, Emirates, KLM, Cathay, Air India, Jetblue.... THE BETTER!! And we are going that way!!! That's what people here really care. If the US wants to retaliate to restrict KLM for less flights... even better.

      And don't worry about tourism.. we also want less tourists here getting drugged and creating garbage and noise.

    7. Mantis Gold

      Yes we know you don't give a guilder about climate, that's why politicians use noise as an excuse, as if it's suddenly a new phenomenon. You're just another NIMBY.

    8. Icarus Guest

      Netherlands is garbage anyhow. Awful food. Generally rude staff in customer facing roles. I’ve been dozens of times and it’s not pleasant. Recently in a restaurant before ordering asked for water and was told no. I mentioned we were about to order and was told it was forbidden until they bring food. Walked out. That isn’t unique. I have dozens of instances of obnoxious staff.
      Amsterdam has great museums and some other historical sights...

      Netherlands is garbage anyhow. Awful food. Generally rude staff in customer facing roles. I’ve been dozens of times and it’s not pleasant. Recently in a restaurant before ordering asked for water and was told no. I mentioned we were about to order and was told it was forbidden until they bring food. Walked out. That isn’t unique. I have dozens of instances of obnoxious staff.
      Amsterdam has great museums and some other historical sights and the concertgebouw orchestra, however it’s not a pleasant city. And Damrak is cesspit.
      Schiphol used to be an efficient airport but no longer. Italian friends call it Schifophol. Constant disruptions. Almost weekly. Even Charles de Gaulle is more efficient.

    9. Amerikaner Guest

      Groets uit Amerika. Ik mis de kroketten, goudsekaas, en fritte met mayonaise!

    10. Matthew Whitehouse Guest

      Rude comment. You have no right to make a comment like this unless you’re a local resident of Amsterdam.

    11. Matthew Whitehouse Guest

      This comment was in reply to Mantis.

    12. Mantis Gold

      Stupid comment. I have every right. Wait, you also don't live in Amsterdam, so you're not allowed to comment either, right?

    13. Icarus Guest

      I know Amsterdam very well and it’s perfectly valid. Begrijpen?

    14. Brad B Guest

      I support JetBlue's argument and actually surprised that other US airlines aren't joining the call. In the summer months, UA has about 150 departures a month from AMS (5x daily), I am not sure how the 3.1% cut will be applied to UA but that means cutting ~5 flights a month. DL has ~510 flights a month from AMS, requiring a cut of ~16 flights per month and AA has ~60 flights per month requiring...

      I support JetBlue's argument and actually surprised that other US airlines aren't joining the call. In the summer months, UA has about 150 departures a month from AMS (5x daily), I am not sure how the 3.1% cut will be applied to UA but that means cutting ~5 flights a month. DL has ~510 flights a month from AMS, requiring a cut of ~16 flights per month and AA has ~60 flights per month requiring a cut of ~2 per month. Adding in the ~60 monthly frequencies B6 will loose this is ~83 flights per month to the US that will be removed from the schedule, which will unduly favor KLM.

      KLM while affected by the cuts are going to cut their flights on short haul flights to Europe (AMS-MAN might go from 6 to 4 daily) but KLM is not going to cut their long haul money making services, including JFK. So the cut of ~83 flights out of AMS to the US is going to increase fares on the remaining flights and allow KLM to keep the same number of flights (and seats) across the Atlantic. I think B6 is 100% correct to call for KLM

  20. Eric Bartsch Guest

    If the concern is the emissions/noise footprint of AMS, then the best way to reduce that would be to eliminate as much connecting traffic as possible and keep all of the non-stop flights that are addressing point to point demand to/from AMS. The KLM hub (and feed from its partners) would go in favor of prioritizing the flights that bring business and leisure travelers to the city/country.

    I’m not advocating this, and I certainly...

    If the concern is the emissions/noise footprint of AMS, then the best way to reduce that would be to eliminate as much connecting traffic as possible and keep all of the non-stop flights that are addressing point to point demand to/from AMS. The KLM hub (and feed from its partners) would go in favor of prioritizing the flights that bring business and leisure travelers to the city/country.

    I’m not advocating this, and I certainly don’t expect it to happen, but if the government plans were to be aligned with their stated goals, the hub and spoke operation at AMS is the thing to get rid of. Prioritizing the flights with the lowest percentage of connecting traffic would be logical (and terrible for KLM).

    1. Icarus Guest

      Then by that logic KLM would close down as most of their traffic is transfer connections. You are implying they reduce or stop almost their entire European network.

      Jet blue has no connecting traffic in Europe.

  21. Bandoleer Guest

    Hopefully JBU will let customers know soon so that they can make other arrangements if they need to. Getting caught in a game of chicken between JBU (US DOT will almost certainly retaliate) and the Dutch government is not a good place to be for customers.

  22. Jordan Diamond

    This is the legal way to force the Netherlands to the negotiating table. B6 and others I am sure will do something similar. I believe KL/DL will be forced to give up 14 weekly slots, enabling B6 to operate just ONE daily flight.

    Global warming is bs! and is corporate made through weather manipulations (which 99% of you) are not aware of, so the whole flight cuts and other climate change weather related nonsense is...

    This is the legal way to force the Netherlands to the negotiating table. B6 and others I am sure will do something similar. I believe KL/DL will be forced to give up 14 weekly slots, enabling B6 to operate just ONE daily flight.

    Global warming is bs! and is corporate made through weather manipulations (which 99% of you) are not aware of, so the whole flight cuts and other climate change weather related nonsense is just that, nonsense.

    It use to be called global warming, until they couldn't warm up the earth fast enough, so had to shift to a better suited title.

    Anyway, lets see how KL responds.

    1. SEA_mvp Guest

      I hear tin foil is on sale at Walmart this week. You’re probably afraid of electric cars too!

      https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/01/25/fact-check-false-claim-severe-weather-linked-chemtrails-haarp/11084984002/

    2. Jame Guest

      “Weather manipulation”????

    3. Matthew Whitehouse Guest

      Stop spreading misinformation/disinformation about climate change.

    4. Georgia D Guest

      You a complete idiot . Srsly

  23. Bandoleer Guest

    The Dutch are doing this for two reasons: 1) to garner votes for new election slated later this month by claiming climate change and noise and 2) to protect KLM/AF/Star from disruptive competition from JBU. Star Alliance has about 80% of seats between JFK and AMS.

    1. MaxPower Diamond

      I doubt star alliance has that many seats between JFK and AMS ;)

  24. Tim Dunn Diamond

    JBLU does have a point that the global slot system favors incumbents but the bottom line is that they failed at their core founding mission which was to be a disruptive high quality low cost carrier and so are trying to take on multiple legacy issues - and losing on all of them - the NEA, a hostile takeover of an ultra low cost carrier, and their transatlantic expansion into heavily slot-controlled airports.

    The...

    JBLU does have a point that the global slot system favors incumbents but the bottom line is that they failed at their core founding mission which was to be a disruptive high quality low cost carrier and so are trying to take on multiple legacy issues - and losing on all of them - the NEA, a hostile takeover of an ultra low cost carrier, and their transatlantic expansion into heavily slot-controlled airports.

    The reality is that the Netherlands is heavily overserved w/ airline service and the argument for downsizing is less about the environment as in climate change but more about noise pollution. No one wins economically and it is doubtful that the noise restrictions will make a huge difference but aviation is target #1 for many environmentalists and AMS will be a less busy airport.
    AF/KL can adapt but they will lose more slots than anyone else.

    And the biggest threat to JBLU's existence is the slow return to pre-covid levels that US ATC is taking which means that capacity remains capped in major airports including NYC. JBLU has been comfortable running industry -leading delays but the FAA is basically saying that they will not even allow pre-covid levels of capacity into NYC w/o being able to say "I told you so" when delays skyrocket which they will.
    If NYC and US ATC is not staffed after summer 2024 for the long-term, it should be clear that there are forces in the US that are intentionally also wanting a smaller aviation sector and that is hurting non-incumbent airlines. And let's not forget that JBLU is a privileged incumbent at JFK and has received slots at DCA from other airlines.

    1. OCTinPHL Diamond

      JetBlue’s takeover of Spirit was initially a hostile offer; but no longer - the Spirit board agreed to the offer.

    2. Tim Dunn Diamond

      Yes. Because JBLU took on such huge financial risk. SAVE stockholders are the only winners

  25. uldguy Diamond

    What exactly is considered to be a “historical right and slot”? Delta, by way of Northwest, has been serving AMS for about 30 years. Is that not historical service?

  26. Robert Fahr Guest

    This is a nothing burger. Schiphol downsizing plans, agree or not, are not targeting Jet Blue and affect KLM at Schiphol.

    Replace with Madrid, Barcelona, or Rome.

  27. Fred Mustafa Guest

    This is a dress rehearsal for drastically reducing the ability of the people to travel. By flying or otherwise.

    1. Marcel Guest

      And rightly so! Mass tourism kills the planet! The millions flying make nothing of just passing thru Europe’s sights with their eyes glued to their smartphones taking selfies.

    2. XPL Diamond

      If that's your opinion Marcel, maybe you should lead by example, and stop wasting presumably-not-green electricity reading and commenting on travel blogs.

    3. Xavier Guest

      I guess we should all be miserable and live cooped up in our homes forever, never taking a vacation to have fun and enjoy what the world has to offer.

      Because what you propose is just a sad existence.

  28. GroeneMichel Gold

    They should swap to BRU...

  29. Miami305 Gold

    @Lucky - love your articles, but I think you are wrong on this one.

    1. Cutting "new" airlines was done intentionally to protect KLM.
    2. The "new" airlines were predominantly low cost or lower cost airlines, hitting KLM's bottom line.
    3. Yes, KLM will lose more slots, but, all remaining airlines - especially KLM - will benefit. They can all raise prices due to limited flights. More revenue with lower costs; a win for KLM.

  30. Mark Guest

    How does a 3% reduction work for airlines that only have a few flights? UA and AA have approximately 5 or 6 flights each. Would they have to cut a full flight or go to smaller gauge, which wouldn’t change the number of flights? Day of week reductions?

    1. Bob Guest

      It will likely mean that UA, AA, and DL will all have to reduce flying by 60-100 flights a year. So you'll likely see them pull down low volume specific days of week in the Fall and Winter schedule to ensure that they can fly a full schedule in the peak summer. This isn't about environmental concerns, its all about ACNL's inability to properly manage an airport. Its embarrassing.

  31. Dan Guest

    JetBlue can be frustrated all they want but it’s not solely directed at them so any revenge is juvenile. All airlines are going to be dealing with reduction or, even in cases like JetBlue, service cancellation. People ready to jump on the “this is anti-American business” JetBlue bandwagon need to shush. It sucks but it’s not just JetBlue. JetBlue is mad because their airline business model is falling apart and transatlantic is the only thing...

    JetBlue can be frustrated all they want but it’s not solely directed at them so any revenge is juvenile. All airlines are going to be dealing with reduction or, even in cases like JetBlue, service cancellation. People ready to jump on the “this is anti-American business” JetBlue bandwagon need to shush. It sucks but it’s not just JetBlue. JetBlue is mad because their airline business model is falling apart and transatlantic is the only thing keeping them afloat right now.

    1. Ivan Guest

      If this happens what will be Jet Blue next route? Copenhagen maybe.

    2. Pat Guest

      AMS is reducing capacity because the people living around the airport don't like the noise. Don't you think it's wildly hypocritical to have KLM planes making noise around JFK?

      If the government thinks it can breach the Open Skies agreement to make AMS nicer to live in, they should have no problem if KLM flights to JFK are also canceled, improving the quality of life for those living around JFK.

  32. Nick Guest

    @Matthew banning certain airlines at a single airport is not going to achieve anything for green house gas reduction, the airline will likely redeploy it on other routes. Carbon taxing jet fuel would be a better solution.

    1. Ivan Guest

      Agree and Armsterdan economy will take a hit less tourists staying in hotels spending money in different things.

    2. Ryan Guest

      I live in Amsterdam and can tell you that we want less tourists. So if this cuts tourism it’s a great thing! But I’m against this whole plan in principle, it’s just pandering and doesn’t provide a long term solution. High speed rail in the Netherlands is much more limited and expensive than flying. It’s often 30-50% more to go to Paris by train rather than plane, and trains sell out often. Berlin is still...

      I live in Amsterdam and can tell you that we want less tourists. So if this cuts tourism it’s a great thing! But I’m against this whole plan in principle, it’s just pandering and doesn’t provide a long term solution. High speed rail in the Netherlands is much more limited and expensive than flying. It’s often 30-50% more to go to Paris by train rather than plane, and trains sell out often. Berlin is still a slow 6+ hour journey. There are no investments in high speed rail on the near-term horizon. So, cutting flights without getting serious about other options makes no sense to me.

    3. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      Meh, name a tourist city whose locals DON'T [claim to] want less tourism. But at least you realize that this is nothing but pandering.

    4. Icarus Guest

      KLM has been operating to New York for over 77 years, since May 1946 and Jet Blue literally for a few weeks. All these calls for banning them from JFK , it isn’t going to happen.

      B6 were also aware of the restrictions. They can simply apply to fly to Brussels or Düsseldorf.

      Additionally all these limitations at Schiphol are entirely the Dutch government’s making. They certainly aren’t protecting KLM. Quite the opposite....

      KLM has been operating to New York for over 77 years, since May 1946 and Jet Blue literally for a few weeks. All these calls for banning them from JFK , it isn’t going to happen.

      B6 were also aware of the restrictions. They can simply apply to fly to Brussels or Düsseldorf.

      Additionally all these limitations at Schiphol are entirely the Dutch government’s making. They certainly aren’t protecting KLM. Quite the opposite. Their CEO already mentioned this in meetings with them that flight disruptions and requests to reduce volumes is costing millions of euros and many jobs.

  33. Matthew Whitehouse Guest

    Until airlines get serious about reducing emissions, this is what’s going to happen. It’s not enough to simply make aircraft more efficient; real emissions reductions will require limits to aviation industry growth (at least until - or if - SAF is available at scale). Sorry, but this is the reality of the aviation/climate situation.

    1. Find Flights For Me Guest

      Reduce emissions by cutting flights, driving prices higher. So only the wealthy can enjoy travel. Great solution

    2. Bob Guest

      If you think this is actually about reducing emissions then I've got a bridge to sell you.

    3. Icarus Guest

      Airlines account for under 3pct of global emissions but activists like to suggest otherwise. Many are also complete hypocrites as they are frequent fliers and travelling regularly by air. I know of several. This is in addition to regulation EC261 where passengers like to squeeze every penny they can out of airlines who are forced to pay millions for accommodation etc when disruptions are not within their control.
      Meanwhile none of these activists target...

      Airlines account for under 3pct of global emissions but activists like to suggest otherwise. Many are also complete hypocrites as they are frequent fliers and travelling regularly by air. I know of several. This is in addition to regulation EC261 where passengers like to squeeze every penny they can out of airlines who are forced to pay millions for accommodation etc when disruptions are not within their control.
      Meanwhile none of these activists target countries such as China.
      If you’re on a travel blog and want to reduce the volume of flights, simply get lost. I fly not only for pleasure but because friends and family live a long way away and it’s the only option.
      If you want to go to Australia by bike and boat then good luck.

  34. Dirk Guest

    Und es ist wie immer. Nur weil ein Flughafen die Anzahl der Flüge reduziert, ist der Aufschrei groß. Erst wenn der letzte Baum gerodet, der letzte Fluss vergiftet, werdet Ihr feststellen, dass man Geld nicht essen kann.

  35. Chris W Guest

    It's far too late to save the planet from climate change.

    Just enjoy what's left, I say.

    1. ConcordeBoy Diamond

      How do you "save the planet" from something that's been happening since its formation?

      Point us to a time frame where climate wasn't/didn't change, for any geologically significant period of time.

  36. M Tak Guest

    While punitive, it doesn't matter the reason - AMS has made this choice and choices have consequences. If AMS is going to negatively impact an airline, then other countries/airports have the same right - doesn't matter if it is for the environment or not. Another point - AMS doing this won't make a difference for the environment. The West is sacrificing their economies for nothing, unless ALL countries follow suit. What a mess.

    1. Matt Guest

      I agree with the need for consequences. The Dutch government is taking an action that negatively impacts American companies, in this case all airlines but especially JetBlue. The bureaucrats making this decision would never fly JetBlue to America. They'd fly KLM. To them, there's no pain to their decision. This is how trade wars start but the US government needs to make sure the Dutch know there is a price to pay. It's unfortunate that...

      I agree with the need for consequences. The Dutch government is taking an action that negatively impacts American companies, in this case all airlines but especially JetBlue. The bureaucrats making this decision would never fly JetBlue to America. They'd fly KLM. To them, there's no pain to their decision. This is how trade wars start but the US government needs to make sure the Dutch know there is a price to pay. It's unfortunate that KLM is a victim in this too but that's on the Dutch.

    2. Adam L Guest

      The Dutch action is anti-competitive. The Dutch government could have enforced this cap without discrimination in favor of "historical" airlines and they chose not to. JetBlue has every right to request this and DOT should grant a reciprocal action.

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Ryan Guest

Time for the DOT to revoke Delta and KLM’s anti-trust immunity. The joint venture is predicated on open skies, where any US airline can fly to any Dutch airport (and v.v.). If the Dutch are now in violation of that treaty by blocking new entrants, then the JV must go.

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John Guest

Let’s be clear, in the context of open skies, a refusal for new service at the country’s only hub is tantamount to a violation. If the Dutch government wants to force a US carrier from flying into AMS, then the U.S. should retaliate against a Dutch carrier. The Biden administration talks a big game about protecting American workers and union jobs. Time for them to put up or shut up by standing up for JetBlue.

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Kevin Guest

Hey Ben, quick correction for you: Airfrance-KLM is not fully privatized. The Dutch government owns 9.3% of the company, with France controlling another 28.6%. This definitely increases the likelihood of state interference and protectionism of KLM by the airport authority’s actions.

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