A majority of MPs back the cabinet’s decision not to cut the number of flights at Schiphol too drastically, resulting in a reduction in noise pollution of 15% rather than 17%.

Last year, Parliament adopted an NSC motion calling for a 17% reduction in noise following mounting complaints from local residents.

The infrastructure minister, Barry Madlener, said during Tuesday’s debate that the cabinet aims to eventually achieve a 20% noise reduction but that cuts cannot be made too quickly — a stance that encouraged the NSC to reconsider its position.

A rapid cut would have too great an impact on the aviation industry, Madlener said.

The NSC’s U-turn was criticised by opposition parties and local residents, who described it as “disappointing.”

Last year, judges ruled that people living near the airport were not being adequately protected against noise pollution.

Ines Kostic, an MP for the pro-animal PvdD, called on the minister to provide details about the number of take-offs and landings that would be permitted at Schiphol.

There is too much focus on 17% or 15%, she said. “We should be talking about reducing the number of flight movements. Madlener is going on about 478,000 flight movements, but I am not being given any information about what that is based on.”

Any flight reduction plan must first be approved by the European Commission before it can be implemented. Brussels regulations state that a reduction in the number of flights can only be introduced as a last resort.