Polderbaan Runway fully open again as of 31 March (update 30 March)

Update 30 March 2025

Polderbaan Runway fully open again as of 31 March

Currently no safety risk due to glare from solar panels

The Polderbaan Runway at Schiphol is fully available again for all air traffic. The temporary measure for landing traffic on the Polderbaan can be lifted a week earlier than planned. This marks the end of modified runway use.

The aviation sector conducted several studies into the glare and had observation flights carried out by the NLR to test the results. These show that aircraft can land safely on the Polderbaan Runway again from Monday 31 March, regardless of the time or weather conditions. The position of the sun in relation to the solar panels has changed, so that the pilots' view is no longer obstructed by the glare. The Integral Safety Management System (ISMS), in which LVNL, KLM, easyJet and Schiphol collaborate on safe aviation, has decided to stop the operational measure earlier than originally planned based on this information.

Until a permanent solution has been found, the aviation sector will continue to monitor the situation closely. The parties will continue to consult with the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, the Ministry, and the owner of the solar park. This permanent solution remains necessary because the glare will return at some point during the year. Safety will of course remain the highest priority.
 

Update 23 March 2025

For reasons of flight safety, the need to ensure that landing aircraft do not use the Polderbaan Runway in sunny weather between 10 a.m. and 12 noon* will continue for two more weeks. This decision has been taken jointly by Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), KLM, easyJet and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. This temporary measure will now be extended until 6 April 2025.  

A short-term solution by the local authority is not yet in place and thorough additional studies reveal that pilots are experiencing obstructed visibility over a longer period due to glare. The sector therefore has no choice but to extend the measure. We will continue to monitor the situation based on any reports we receive from pilots. Safety is our top priority in this matter.   

Daily assessments based on weather forecasts will be made to determine whether the Polderbaan Runway can be used for landing on any given day. The parties involved want to keep disruption to a minimum, as not using the Polderbaan Runway has an impact on noise levels around Schiphol. As a result of this measure, landing aircraft have to make more frequent use of the Zwanenburg Runway or the Buitenveldert Runway.    

*winter time; from the start of summer time, the measure will apply from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Press release 3 March 2025

As of Tuesday 4 March, the Polderbaan Runway at Schiphol is temporarily not available for landing traffic between 10:00 and 12:00 in sunny weather. Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), KLM, easyJet and Schiphol, brought together under the Integral Safety Management System (ISMS), are compelled to take this measure in order to guarantee air traffic safety. 

The solar panels below the approach route to the Polderbaan Runway are outside the landing area but due to glare when the sun shines, they are hindering visibility for pilots. The position of the sun means that this effect occurs in the morning. Pilots have made several reports about this recently. 

Every day, weather forecasts will be used to weigh up whether or not the Polderbaan Runway is deployable. The parties want to keep this to a minimum because not using the Polderbaan will have an impact on noise levels around Schiphol. Landing traffic will make more frequent use of the Zwanenburgbaan and Buitenveldertbaan runways. 

Solution required 

The aviation sector has previously held consultations with the municipality of Haarlemmermeer on the installation of solar panels near Schiphol. The sector indicated that the use of special glass (deep textured glass), which absorbs rather than reflects sunlight, is necessary for flight safety.  

The municipality of Haarlemmermeer and the owner of the solar park are working hard, in consultation with the aviation sector, to find a structural solution. For now, this measure will apply until 23 March, or earlier if a more permanent measure is available. We will continue to monitor the situation based on any reports we get from fliers. Safety is our top priority.