Questions and answers

• What was involved in the assessment of the Schiphol policy?
  
• What does the Schiphol Act entail?
  
• How will Schiphol be able to grow?
  
• Will Schiphol be listed on the stock exchange?
  

What was involved in the assessment of the Schiphol policy?

When the Schiphol Act and the two airport decrees came into force in 2003, it was agreed that the new policy would have to be assessed within three years of its introduction. Between November 2004 and early 2006 the policy was assessed on the basis of the following key questions:
1) Do the airport decrees actually provide the level of protection envisaged by the law?
2) Is the policy effective? Is inconvenience controlled and does Schiphol have room to grow within the environmental and safety boundaries?
3) Are improvements to the policy possible?
The assessment was completed in February 2006. The final report was then submitted to the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament. On 21 April, the cabinet decided on its standpoint.  According to the cabinet, the assessment shows that the Schiphol policy is reasonably effective, but that a number of points can be improved. The cabinet then submitted proposals to be carried out in the near future.

What does the Schiphol Act entail?

The Schiphol Act (chapter 8 of the Aviation Act) regulates the following matters:
· that there are rules for the aviation sector (airport, air traffic control and airlines) and rules as regards the limited space available;
· the function, tasks and powers of enforcement agencies (Transport, Public Works and Water Management Inspectorate and Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment Inspectorate);
· the responsibilities of air traffic control at the airport;
· the establishment of the Regional Schiphol Airport Consultation Committee (CROS), www.crosnet.nl.

The Schiphol Act was assessed in 2005.

How will Schiphol be able to grow?

Schiphol is free to develop within strict environmental preconditions. No limits have been set as regards the volume of air traffic. However, there are limits as regards the environmental effects. In other words: the cleaner, quieter and safer the aeroplanes, the more air traffic is possible.

Will Schiphol be listed on the stock exchange?

No, the coalition agreement of 7 February 2007 excludes the selling of shares on the stock exchange. The cabinet will start negotiations with Schiphol airport and the municipality of Amsterdam to find a different way to generate funding from the government share without giving up control. In this process, the possibilities for Schiphol to raise borrowed capital must be expanded. The private sale of shares to one or more investors has not been excluded as a possible way of raising borrowed capital.