How we deploy our runwaysFlight paths and runway use

Decisions about which of Schiphol’s runways to use at a given moment depends on weather conditions and runway conditions, as well as the agreements made with both government and our neighbours. Two runways are in use at Schiphol at all times. One is for departing planes, and the other for arriving planes. During peak times, when a lot of aircraft are taking off or landing, a third or even a fourth runway may be brought into use.

Schiphol has five long runways that are used for international air traffic. The runways have been laid out facing a variety of wind directions to maximise the probability that aircraft will be able to take off and land.

• Runway 18L-36R (Aalsmeerbaan) – aircraft take off in a southerly direction and approach from the south

• Runway 09-27 (Buitenveldertbaan) – aircraft take off in an easterly or westerly direction and approach from the east

• Runway 06-24 (Kaagbaan) – aircraft take off in a southwesterly direction and approach from the southwest or northeast

• Runway 18R-36L (Polderbaan) – aircraft take off in a northerly direction and approach from the north

• Runway 18C-36C (Zwanenburgbaan) – aircraft take off in a northerly or southerly direction and approach from the north or the south

In addition to these five runways, Schiphol also has Runway 04-22 (Schiphol-Oostbaan). That runway is shorter and used mainly for General Aviation, private jets and helicopters. Air Traffic Control the Netherlands can bring this runway into use for international air traffic, where necessary. See which landing systems Schiphol runways have here.

We understand that you don’t want to be disturbed by low-flying aircraft while you’re fast asleep. That’s why we restrict take-offs and landings between 23:00 and 07:00 to a single take-off runway and a single landing runway. They are usually Runways 18R-36L (Polderbaan) and 06-24 (Kaagbaan). Night flights also take different flight paths to reduce the inconvenience they cause. Runways 18L-36R (Aalsmeerbaan) and 04-22 (Schiphol-Oostbaan) are not used overnight, and Runway 18C-36C (Zwanenburg) is only used for take-offs towards the south. We only deviate from this arrangement in emergencies, when safety is of the utmost importance.

Our runways receive regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. This can mean that a runway is unavailable for use by air traffic. That situation has an impact on runway use and flight paths because Air Traffic Control the Netherlands will need to direct aircraft to other runways. We do our best to ensure that this runway maintenance takes place during quieter periods, wherever possible. For example, maintenance is performed on the runways at night or when a runway can’t be used due to strong winds. Here you can see the schedule for runway maintenance and other works that affect runway use.

Schiphol, the government and residents in the vicinity of the airport have made agreements about runway use and the number of permitted flights to and from Schiphol. Preferably, we use the runways that cause relatively less nuisance to fewer people, and we do not use more runways at the same time than is strictly necessary. When deploying runways, we take account of these agreements and the rules that apply in the areas of the environment, noise, emissions and external safety. Prior to each year, we draw up a usage forecast to map out the expected runway use. In February, we evaluate the usage forecast for the previous year. We discuss both reports with local residents, stakeholders and the government.