What happened
Following a series of significant incidents, the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) conducted a comprehensive investigation into the safety systems at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The investigation focused on the vulnerabilities within the airport's complex infrastructure and air traffic management processes. While the board found no evidence that current safety levels are inadequate, it observed a rising trend in incidents alongside increased air traffic volumes since 2014. The investigation highlighted that the airport is currently approaching the limits of its ability to manage traffic safely under its existing operational framework.
The investigation
The OVV examined the interplay between Schiphol's physical layout, its traffic management strategies, and the regulatory oversight provided by the State. The inquiry looked into the impact of noise abatement measures, which necessitate frequent runway configuration changes, and the complexities introduced by the airport's 'wave system' of traffic peaks. The board also evaluated the effectiveness of the Schiphol Safety Platform (VpS) and the oversight capabilities of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT).
Findings
- The airport's infrastructure and operational design are highly complex, involving numerous taxiways, converging runway orientations, and frequent runway crossings.
- The accumulation of safety risks is a primary concern, as parties often accept new risks for economic or environmental reasons and rely on subsequent mitigation measures, which can create further complications.
- Air traffic controller workloads are high due to systematic capacity shortages.
- There is a lack of integrated safety management; the Schiprol Safety Platform is criticized for being primarily reactive and lacking the authority to enforce safety decisions.
- The State's oversight is insufficient, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment lacking a clear, verifiable criterion to assess the total level of safety at the airport.
- The current decision-making process prioritizes growth and noise abatement over a comprehensive safety analysis of successive operational changes.
Safety action
The Dutch Safety Board issued several recommendations to mitigate these risks. To Schiphol Group and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), the board recommended developing a future-proof operational concept that reduces runway configuration changes and minimizes runway crossings. For the Schiphol Safety Platform, the board advised establishing a shared safety vision and an Integrated Safety Management System. Finally, the board called on the Secretary of State to strengthen the role of the party with final responsibility by implementing enforceable safety standards, improving inspectorate resources, and ensuring regular public accountability for air traffic safety.