Six environmental and local residents’ organisations appealed to the Council of State against Schiphol’s new Airport Traffic Decision, which is due to take effect on 1 November. They argued that the decision legalises years of unlawful nuisance and does not adequately protect residents’ health or the environment.

The organisations said the annual cap of 478,000 flights is insufficient and asked the Council of State to annul the decision. They seek a substantial reduction in the number of flights.