Stop private jets! No bullshit-flights!
The government has decided that Schiphol should shrink to a maximum of 440,000 flights per year, but this does not include private jets. The exemptions that apply to Schiphol and for private flights show exactly where the problem lies in tackling the climate crisis. Schiphol Airport is one of the biggest polluters in the Netherlands, yet almost half of the Dutch population never sets foot in a plane.
The wealthy ‘jet set’ is responsible for most of the flights and the highest carbon emissions, and nothing is being done to stop them. They are allowed to just carry on producing huge amounts of CO2, while people who are less well off suffer the burden of the climate crisis. This is unfair and unacceptable. It is high time aviation starts complying with the Paris climate agreement.
Our demands
- Stop polluting and develop a climate plan for no more than 1.5 degrees
- Scrap unnecessary (short haul) flights
- Stop greenwashing advertisements and CO2 offsets
- Set legal climate rules for aviation
- Give flying a fair price
Read here our full Call to Action and learn about all the ways Schiphol Group is furthering inequality, worsens the life of people all around the globe and is exempt from regulations.

Rebel with your wallet!
SOS for the Climate! On Saturday 5 November, we are taking action against big polluter Schiphol. Of course we hope that you will be there and also that you will support our action with a financial contribution, if you can spare one. We will spend your contribution for example on flyers, banners and other action material.

We are not alone in this struggle
We have organised this action together with Greenpeace.
Check out their website
Krimp de Luchtvaart organised the demonstration at Schiphol plaza.
Check out their website
Press release
Activists ground private jets at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
More than 500 Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace activists have stopped private jets from taking off at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport since 12:40 this afternoon. Activists are cycling around the area where the private jets are parked and are blocking the aircraft. The protesters are people concerned about the climate crisis and local residents whose lives are affected by the noise from Schiphol Airport.
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FAQs
Both Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace believe in the power of the people uniting to bring about change. A few reasons why we collaborate:
- We want to strengthen the climate movement
- We want to support the struggles of the people working and/ or living around Schiphol
- We are stronger together with our joined resources and believe that collaboration makes us stronger
- We have a clear target and goal together: flying is no longer acceptable
- We believe collaboration makes us stronger
- We value and want to learn from each other's organisations
- Stop polluting. Schiphol must come up with a climate plan in line with no more than 1.5 degrees of warming, also for all emissions from refuelled kerosene. At a minimum, aviation, like other sectors, must halve CO2 and nitrogen emissions by 2030, including for all kerosene fueled. The solution is fewer flights and no opening of Lelystad Airport. Provide a generous aviation fund for employees. Show vision and responsibility for a future with far fewer flights.
- Scrap unnecessary flights. Replace all short-haul flights with trains. And put an end to all private flights, the dirtiest flights.
- Tell the truth. No more greenwashing, Schiphol. Say honestly that CO2 compensation is deception and 'sustainable airplanes' are a fairy tale.
- Set legally binding climate rules. It is also up to the government. The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment is now working on a CO2 ceiling for aviation that will limit annual emissions. But that ceiling is becoming too high, so Schiphol can continue to pollute until 2070. We demand a ceiling that decreases and is scientifically in line with the 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Give flying a fair price. Increase the tax on tickets and levy a tax on kerosene. At the moment, the government still subsidises aviation with €2 billion annually. Invest this money smarter by making trains more accessible for everyone.
Joining an action training is the most important step to become involved in this action. There you will also become part of an Affinity Group. However, every event and training will equip you with knowledge on what the next steps can be for you, so trust your feelings and go to whatever speaks the most to you. Also, do not hesitate to already get in contact with your local group.
At trainings and also other events your local group might be organising Affinity Groups (AG) will be formed. An AG is a group of people who support each other to take part in nonviolent direct action (NVDA). The ‘affinity’ part could mean anything that unites the group - this could be where you’re from, what you care about, what kind of actions you’re interested in or it could just be that you like each other and want to make a difference together. It’s crucial that those people willing to risk arrest are properly supported through this experience, so not everyone in an AG needs to make that commitment.
Read the full action consensus
Doing actions is really powerful. Especially since we stand up together. Rising up means opening ourselves and reacting to the emotions we face in this climate crisis. Anger, fear, desperation, stress, joy, strength and a feeling of collectiveness come together. We have such feelings before, during and after actions.
As a community, we are working on a culture of resilience where we can allow ourselves and others to unlearn patterns of society. We want to allow for expression of feelings on the actions and the climate crisis in a culture where talking about feelings is not always welcomed. We strive to work against the burn-out culture in preparation of actions. We check-in with ourselves (and our affinity group) if we have the energy to take part in actions. Focussing on well-being during actions means we try to take care of ourselves and others (emotionally and physically). It also means we give space for recovering and activities such as debriefs after the actions.