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The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has instructed Schiphol, in collaboration with other sector parties, to come up with an action plan before 1 March 2023 with concrete measures to reduce APU use in practice.

Aircraft parked at Schiphol, after arrival or departure of a flight, too often use the aircraft's built-in auxiliary engine. The so-called auxiliary power unit (APU) runs on kerosene and causes harmful emissions such as nitrogen, sulfur and (ultra) fine particles. The APU also causes noise nuisance. Therefore, the APU should be switched on as little as possible in the interest of healthy working conditions for platform employees. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has instructed Schiphol, in collaboration with other sector parties, to come up with an action plan before 1 March 2023 with concrete measures to reduce APU use in practice.

The use of the APU is described in the Schiphol Airport Traffic Decree. When an airplane is parked, it needs energy. Among other things to be able to start and for electricity and air conditioning on board. Aircraft may only use the APU if no cleaner alternatives are available, such as an air conditioning installation (PCA), a fixed power connection (Fixed Power Unit, FPU) or a mobile power supply (ground power unit, GPU). The APU may be used in certain weather conditions, for example at very low or high temperatures; less than 5 or more than 25 degrees Celsius.

In the 10-month period (October 2021 – July 2022), the ILT inspected 1.531 aircraft. Conclusion: the APU is used more often than cleaner alternatives. One third of the parked aircraft had the auxiliary engine running. An important reason for this is a shortage of alternative facilities. 

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When an airplane is parked, it needs energy. Among other things to be able to start and for electricity and air conditioning on board.

Schiphol is responsible for the availability of fixed power connections, connection points for air purification installations, such as PCAs and PCA units on at least 61 platforms. At the moment there are too few of these types of units, namely 39.

Ground handling

The fixed power supplies (FPU) are sufficiently available, but they are not always operational. Schiphol has shifted responsibility for the PCA units to the ground handlers. The investigation by the ILT shows that this system does not work in practice. The ILT also notes that if alternative facilities are available, they are not used enough. 

Ground handlers do not know which facilities are available and whether they are operational. The coordination between the partners present on a platform is lacking. The ILT has discussed the results of the investigation with ground handlers, a number of airlines and Schiphol. The airport will present the action plan together with the sector in early March. In the plan, the ILT concrete measures with deadlines to improve working conditions on the platform.

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