Amsterdam Schiphol Environmental Activism?

Question:

On the official web site for AMS airport, I found the following statement: "Panorama terrace – Due to interfering with operational processes by environmental activists the panorama terrace is closed for the public." Anyone have any further details on this???

–Last year some extreme leftwing environmental terrorists (well that’s what I call them) climbed over the edge of the observation deck on to the roof of one of the piers and then over an airbridge to sit on top of a KL 767 which caused some delays. I think the web site info is a bit out of date, because last time I was there, about 6 weeks ago, part of the terrace was closed because of building works on the expansion of pier D and the old part of the terminal, but the other end of the terrace near piers E and F was open. –==++AJC++==–

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On the official web site for AMS airport, I found the following statement: "Panorama terrace – Due to interfering with operational processes by environmental activists the panorama terrace is closed for the public." Anyone have any further details on this??? –Last year some extreme leftwing environmental terrorists (well that’s what I call them) climbed over the edge of the observation deck on to the roof of one of the piers and then over an airbridge to sit on top of a KL 767 which caused some delays. I think the web site info is a bit out of date, because last time I was there, about 6 weeks ago, part of the terrace was closed because of building works on the expansion of pier D and the old part of the terminal, but the other end of the terrace near piers E and F was open. –==++AJC++==–

AJC: let’s not start a discussion about environmental policy here, but to call these people "extreme leftwing terrorists" is a bit overdone. They are just people who are rightly concerned about the environmental damage flying airplanes causes. While I do not agree with their methods, I do agree with their idea of taxing kerosine heavily. Isn’t it strange that such a demerit good as flying is not taxed at all? Sjoerd

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On the official web site for AMS airport, I found the following statement: "Panorama terrace – Due to interfering with operational processes by environmental activists the panorama terrace is closed for the public." Anyone have any further details on this??? –Last year some extreme leftwing environmental terrorists (well that’s what I call them) climbed over the edge of the observation deck on to the roof of one of the piers and then over an airbridge to sit on top of a KL 767 which caused some delays. I think the web site info is a bit out of date, because last time I was there, about 6 weeks ago, part of the terrace was closed because of building works on the expansion of pier D and the old part of the terminal, but the other end of the terrace near piers E and F was open. –==++AJC++==– AJC: let’s not start a discussion about environmental policy here, but to call these people "extreme leftwing terrorists" is a bit overdone. They are just people who are rightly concerned about the environmental damage flying airplanes causes. While I do not agree with their methods, I do agree with their idea of taxing kerosine heavily. Isn’t it strange that such a demerit good as flying is not taxed at all? Sjoerd

–Well Sjoerd, you will have gathered from my posting that I don’t think much of these people. As far as taxes go, although they are not taxes on kerosine, when I buy a ticket AMS-LGW-AMS on HV for NLG 178.00, the governments add an extra NLG 62.65 in taxes on the ticket, that’s nearly 35% and what do they do with that money? In my opinion, which I’m sure plenty of people will dissagree with, those who truly cared about the environment would be promoting Schiphol for what it is, one of the most environmentally friendly major international airports in the World. They have quite rightly forced the vast majority of airlines that use AMS to upgrade their fleets to use the quietest, most efficient, least polluting aircraft, just look at and listen to the difference at a major US airport, with lines of 727s, DC9s, 737-200s waiting to take off. I look at it this way, Schiphol has been where it is for over 75 years, so everyone that moved in to a house that is affected by aircraft noise knew what to expect. The airport has inevitably grown, hardly a surprise to anyone. The noise levels must have peaked in the 70s, but since then with the introduction of quieter aircraft those levels will have decreased. So many of the residents that complain bought their houses at reduced price because they are affected by aircraft noise, and they now want the airport, closed, moved, or scaled down, so their houses will increase in value and they can make a pile of money. Lastly don’t forget some of the tricks these environmental groups use to falsify their claims. There was a noise measuring device supposedly placed along one of the runways, and some horrendous figures were quoted, until someone realized that this device was actually detecting the noise of traffic on the A4 (a major highway for those who don’t know the area), and the traffic noise was much higher than that of the aircraft! Well forgive me for ranting on, but it is a subject about which I have strong views! –==++AJC++==–

Response:

Filed under: Environmental Activism

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