Infrastructure minister Barry Madlener is pressing ahead with plans to reduce flights to and from Schiphol airport, despite criticism from Brussels.

The minister confirmed the new limit of 478,000 aircraft movements on Wednesday, which he said previously will cut noise nuisance by 15%, in line with an earlier court order. Part of the reduction involves scrapping 5,000 night flights.

Madlener’s decision has been criticised by the European Commission, which said earlier he had not provided sufficient justification for the move. MPs have also voiced frustration, saying they want a more substantial reduction.

Nor will the move meet the government target of a 20% cut in noise pollution. Madlener says the rest will come from the use of quieter planes up to 2028.

Air traffic will be allowed to grow again once the 20% reduction has been reached, he said.

Airlines have welcomed the flexibility, but environmental groups have criticised the minister, arguing that the small cut in noise levels will not be noticeable to local residents. “Nuisance is also down to the large number of aircraft flying over you every hour,” a Greenpeace spokesman said.

Residents are calling for the number of aircraft movements to be cut to 438,000.