Netherlands private jet airport ‘will promote SAF use’ following climate protests

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The CEO of Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands has promised to promote the use of SAF after a protest by Extinction Rebellion climate activists.

Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion climate activists entered the grounds of the airport at the weekend (25th March) with the sole purpose of blocking the private jet area and did not enter the runway to avoid disrupting scheduled flights, according to Extinction Rebellion’s Netherlands division.

Roel Hellemons, CEO, Eindhoven Airport responded to the action by promising to increase the use of SAF. He said that the airport has put forward proposals to the Dutch government to increase tax for passengers departing from the airport for the purchase of SAF.

“The climate movement is looking to call more attention to the impact of air traffic on the environment and the need for sustainability. Eindhoven Airport agrees with the urgency and necessity for increased sustainability,” he said. “It is partly for this reason that we are not pursuing growth for our air traffic, and instead are prioritizing the sustainability of existing air traffic.”

Hellemons added that he has set a cap on the number of business jets that can land at the airport at 2.5% of the total number of flights. “In this segment in particular, we see opportunities to make aircraft electric and therefore more sustainable.”

Alicha van der Aa, co-organiser, Extinction Rebellion Netherlands said: “Eindhoven Airport has once again grown in flight movements and is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. That cannot be explained in any way. Aviation must shrink.”

The group said it wants fewer flights and a ban on short flights and private jets.

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