Gesprekspunten Mansveld tijdens BARIN nieuwjaarsreceptie

Toespraak | 24-01-2013

Ladies and gentlemen,

Last December, the Economist published a table revealing that the Netherlands is the most globalised country in the world.

A result that fills me with pride.

With borders fading away, I believe the Netherlands’ future is international.

This country has so much to offer in so many areas: from agriculture and energy.

And let’s not forget aviation and our unique concepts for this sector.

Being a globalised country means that we have many international connections and interests.

That we have an open society.

That our mainport, Schiphol airport, is a key hub in an international network. And that we’re keen to maintain close ties with those who represent our foreign stakeholders.

That means you, and it’s good to see so many of you here today. You give globalisation a face.

I still have to become acquainted with many of you. It’s only a few months since I was appointed State Secretary for Infrastructure and the Environment.

One of the areas I am responsible for is aviation policy.

And I’m still spreading my wings, so to speak.

I don’t want to spend all my time behind a desk in The Hague.

I want to get out and about, to meet people like you, so I can find out what’s going on and what people’s expectations are.

Let me share some initial impressions with you. What has struck me? What are the main issues, where are the greatest threats and opportunities?

What’s struck me these first few months are the efforts being made to preserve the Netherlands’ strong position in aviation. A position that the facts make very clear:

• In terms of passenger numbers, Schiphol is Europe’s fourth largest airport (51 million passengers in 2012).
• Schiphol was voted Europe’s best airport both by passengers and by the air transport association ACI Europe. The CAPA Centre for Aviation even nominated it ‘international airport of the year’ for 2012.
• The national importance of Schiphol’s status as mainport is obvious. It directly employs around 60,000 people. Indirectly it provides 170,000 jobs in the region.

The Netherlands largely owes its strong position in aviation to its good international network.

To you, in other words.

You all play an important role.

In addition, the authorities and organisations in the sector work well together.

The speedy and smooth transit of passengers and freight at Schiphol is something we’re good at.

This is a unique combination of strengths.

Which is, of course, in your interests, too.

I’m proud of everything that’s been achieved and set in motion. But at the same time I realise that we can’t take our strong position for granted.

I’m not thinking only of the current economic crisis. Other challenges are looming, especially for the Dutch aviation sector.

• Transport flows will shift in the next few years, mainly to regions outside the EU.
• Asia and the Middle East, in particular, are expected to become the hub of international air traffic flows.
• And countries are experiencing very different rates of economic growth.

So if we’re to keep our leading position in aviation, we need to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

With all of us joining forces.

Because that has always been the secret of our success. Which doesn’t mean it’s always easy.

Last year, we drew up a new Airspace Vision, creating scope for Schiphol’s traffic to increase and taking us closer to the goal of a Single European Sky.

The new structure will be fleshed out and put in place in the next few years.

As you all know, the number of night flights has been cut back to reduce noise pollution. All carriers have agreed within BARIN to achieve this reduction in the most effective way possible. Companies have committed to this agreement. I would like to thank you all for that!

So a great many wheels have been set in motion, but that doesn’t mean we can sit back. We still have a lot to do to maintain our position.

There are three issues that we need to move forward in the months and years to come.

First and foremost, we need to press for a global level playing field. We need to protect European airlines from competitive disadvantage caused by European and national legislation, high costs resulting from airport congestion and increased labour costs.

We also need to find a global solution for the ETS. It’s good that the EU will be pressing for global agreements at the ICAO General Assembly in 2013.

A new standards and enforcement system is being introduced in line with plans to increase the number of flight movements at Schiphol to 510,000. This will keep noise pollution in check, while creating scope for the growth that the aviation industry wants.

Ladies and gentlemen, to round off:

2013 won’t be an easy year.

The aviation sector can’t escape the general economic trend. But I will be working hard – with you – to keep our mainport strong.

That will benefit not only the Netherlands, but the carriers that you represent.

Above all, we need to work together towards a safe, competitive and sustainable aviation sector. I shall do my very best to achieve this, and I have every confidence that you will too.

I wish you all the best for 2013!

Thank you.