At Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, pilots are experiencing significant visibility problems caused by glare from a nearby solar park. Following numerous complaints, the aviation industry has decided to temporarily close the Polderbaan runway for two hours in the morning, between 10:00 and 12:00 on sunny days, to ensure safe landings.
The problem is caused by the "De Groene Energie Corridor" solar park, which is located between the Rotterpolderplein motorway junction and the town of Zwanenburg. The plant is located under the approach route to the Polderbaan and, when the sun shines directly, reflects strong light into the pilots' cockpits. This leads to impaired visibility and makes safe landing more difficult. Representatives of the aviation industry, organized in the "Integral Safety Management System" (ISMS), are therefore calling for long-term measures from the municipality and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure.
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has called on the operator of the solar plant, Energy Solutions Group, to take immediate countermeasures. The company has promised to examine short-term solutions and to develop a permanent measure in parallel. The temporary closure of the Polderbaan will initially remain in place until March 23, but could be lifted if a practical solution is found beforehand. The restriction leads to greater use of other runways, which leads to increased noise pollution in adjacent areas.