Special train stations and sound absorbent pyramids are among the ideas contained in a major new plan for Schiphol airport which is to be presented to transport minister Camiel Eurlings on Monday.

The plan has been drawn up by all the major players at Schiphol, including national carrier KLM, Stork Aersopace and the Delft University of Technology (TU). The aim is to enable air traffic at Schiphol to increase by 20% in the near future without damaging the environment or compromising the accessibility of the airport, reports ANP news service.
The plan includes using hybrid engines and bio-fuel to cut carbon dioxide emissions from ground vehicles, such as tankers and luggage trucks, by between 20% and 50%. Researchers at Delft are also working on developing a new ‘ultra green’ airplane.
To make sure roads around the airport are not clogged up with even more traffic, the plan proposes designing special lounges at a number of railway stations so that air passengers can check in themselves and their baggage before taking a train to Schiphol. One such trial facility is currently being developed by KLM and Dutch Rail at the central station in Antwerp, ANP says.
Meanwhile, noise disturbance around the airport will be dealt with by the construction of pyramids made of sound absorbent material.
The organisations that have drawn up the Schiphol expansion plan estimate it will cost many millions of euros and although they are prepared to make investments themselves, they also want government aid, reports ANP.
‘With this plan we can really make a name for ourselves in the world,’ Ben Droste, former airforce general and now dean at TU Delft, told the Telegraaf.