Dhaka, March 14 -- The Netherlands' highest administrative court has overturned the government's plan to cap annual flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, ruling that authorities failed to properly justify the measure aimed at reducing noise pollution.

The Council of State said the government had not sufficiently demonstrated why limiting the number of take-offs and landings to 478,000 per year was necessary.

Former transport minister Barry Madlener introduced the proposal in 2024 as part of efforts to reduce noise disturbance for residents living near the country's busiest airport. The plan also included a reduction in annual night flights.

However, several groups challenged the policy. Airlines argued the cap would harm operations ...