Rotterdam The Hague Airport environmental dispute

The environmental impact report (MER) for Rotterdam The Hague Airport has been deemed critically deficient by the independent Commission for Environmental Impact Assessment. The Commission noted that the report lacks essential data regarding nitrogen emissions, flight safety, monitoring protocols, and actual flight routes. Specific criticisms included the use of outdated data and a failure to account for noise generated by taxiing aircraft or flight path deviations over residential areas.

Following these findings, the Residents Against Aircraft Nuisance (BTV) group formally challenged the draft airport decision in a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives. BTV alleges that the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management provided incomplete and incorrect information. The group cited concerns regarding noise, safety, nitrogen levels, and nature conservation, while also noting that economic research suggests the current foundation does not meet Aviation Policy requirements. BTV has called on Parliament to withhold approval until these deficiencies are corrected to avoid legal risks at the Council of State.