News item | 06-02-2025 | 10:00 AM
Groningen Airport Eelde gets broader opening hours. The government agrees with the request that the regional airport did last year. The aim is to make the regional airport more attractive for airlines, which can offer more (holiday) flights due to the change. The expectation is that Groningen Airport Eelde can in time facilitate 150 flights per year. This offers the airport the opportunity to achieve a better financial position.
This is stated in the draft airport decision of Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management). As soon as the Airport Decree becomes final, Groningen Airport Eelde may open an hour longer in the evening. At a later stage, the airport can also open half an hour earlier in the morning. This also depends on the capacity at the Air Traffic Control Netherlands (LVNL).
Important role
The Groningen Airport Eelde Airport has an important role for mobility in the region and contributes to the activity. In addition, it is the home base of the KLM Flight Academy and the trauma helicopter of Groningen UMC, including donor organs. Groningen Airport Eelde wants to grow and has therefore submitted an application for an airport decision in July 2024 to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The draft Airport Decree offers the airport the space to realize its growth plans for the future and to turn it into a future-proof airport.
Eye for the environment
In line with the Outline Agreement, the draft decision in addition to growth also explicitly takes into account the surroundings of the airport. Calculations made for the decision in the context of the application show that the future noise pressure within the already applicable agreements remains. This is because the airport currently produces a lot less noise than is permitted and because planes have become quieter in recent years.
In addition, the airport receives four additional enforcement points for sound. The current requirement of two points at the start and end of the track is no longer satisfactory. The new decision therefore takes more account of contiguous buildings. The extra enforcement points offer legal protection for residents and offers more opportunities for the Living Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) to better monitor the amount of aircraft sound and to impose measures if necessary.
Finally, the airport will reduce local air pollution by providing aircraft itself with electricity as long as the aircraft is on the platform – for example for heating or air conditioning. Aircraft then no longer have to run auxiliary motor.
Consultation
The draft Airport Decree will be consulted from 7 February. Those who want to respond until 20 March 2025. After approval by the House of Representatives and assessment by the Council of State, the government can take a final airport decision for Groningen Airport Eelde at the end of 2025.