Opening nears for new Schiphol runway

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A fifth runway is to open at Amsterdam Schiphol airport on February 20, cementing the location's status as a key European hub

The new facility will allow aircraft at Schiphol to fly over less densely populated areas, with air traffic over Amsterdam set to be halved once the runway is fully operational.

The runway, nicknamed the Polderbaan, will initially cater for night flights only, with daytime operations beginning in July. The facility should be fully operational by November 1.

In a statement, airport authority Schiphol Group said the runway would allow the airport to absorb the predicted growth in air traffic and continue to compete with its European rivals.