In its 2009 Aviation Policy Document and the subsequent update in 2011, the Dutch government called the Netherlands a remarkably strong aviation nation globally. As a trading nation, the Netherlands wants to be connected to all of the world’s major economic centres and a successful exporting nation thanks to its innovative industry. With its Rotterdam and Amsterdam seaports and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Netherlands aspires to be the world’s gateway to Europe. Air traffic plays a major role in this respect, currently providing 85,000 direct jobs (along with the aviation industry), as well as another 131,000 indirect and derivative jobs. The network of air travel connections moreover is the driver of substantial economic activity in the Netherlands, accounting for another 120,000 jobs.
Figure 1: Number of intercontinental destinations from European, national airports
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