The U.S. Department of Transportation is not served by reducing space for U.S. airlines at Schiphol Airport. The ministry is considering countermeasures.

Banning budget airline JetBlue in the Netherlands is “unjust and unreasonable” and in violation of European-American treaties, according to Washington. If it were up to American JetBlue, Dutch airlines would also be hampered in the US.

The U.S. Department has now asked Dutch carriers KLM, Martinair and TUI to send schedules for flights to and from the U.S. within seven days. Until then, Washington says it will wait with countermeasures.

Washington says it will hold talks with the Dutch government and the European Commission about the decision on Nov. 13. “Should the consultations fail to resolve this issue, the ministry is ready to consider further steps.”

The U.S. government has protested the shrinkage of Schiphol several times, but it says it has never received reasonable substantiation from the Dutch government. Due to the shrinkage of Schiphol, fewer flights may depart from Schiphol starting next year.

Photo Jeroen Vogelaar