The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has issued a penalty order against easyJet for its continued unauthorized use of polluting auxiliary power units (APUs) on aircraft at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The airline had received a warning in December 2025 regarding this issue but subsequently resumed using APUs even when cleaner alternatives, such as ground power units, were accessible.
This enforcement action highlights the ILT's commitment to reducing environmental impact at Dutch airports. APUs, essentially small jet engines, burn fuel and emit pollutants when aircraft are parked at gates, contributing to local air and noise pollution. The availability of fixed ground power connections at modern airports like Schiphol offers a more sustainable option for aircraft systems.
For freight forwarders and logistics operations utilizing air cargo from Schiphol, this development underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny on environmental practices within aviation. While unlikely to directly impact air cargo rates or capacity in the short term, it signals a broader trend towards stricter environmental compliance for airlines. This could eventually influence operational costs for carriers, potentially leading to indirect effects on airfreight pricing as airlines invest in greener ground operations or face further penalties.
