The Municipality of Maastricht advocates the preservation and further development of Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA). The airport is allowed to grow as long as the interests of local residents are respected and nuisance is removed as much as possible.
Mayor Annemarie Penn-te Strake writes this in a letter to the Provincial Council.
Four scenarios
Provincial politicians will take a final decision on the future of the airport in Beek on 3 June. There are currently four scenarios on the table, in which strong growth on the one hand and closure on the other are the most extreme variants. The interim solutions lie in an airport that focuses more on freight transport or more sustainable (electric) aircraft.
Also read: Unrest among airport staff about the continued existence of the airport
balance
And the mayor of Maastricht considers sustainability in particular important. ‘The municipality of Maastricht has opted for an MAA that can continue to develop within an environment-aware framework’, Penn writes. ‘A framework that respects the interests of local residents and that eliminates perceived nuisance for local residents where possible. An airport that seeks a sharp balance between the interests of local residents and the airport’s contribution to the economy.’
According to the municipality of Maastricht, the airport is also important for employment.
MECC
In addition, the airport plays an important role in opening up Maastricht. Especially as a university, knowledge and visiting city, according to Penn. ‘The importance for the MECC is obvious and great. In recent years, both the province and the municipality have invested in the renovation and upgrading of the MECC’, the mayor writes. This makes it a ‘state of the art’ conference center, where trade fairs such as the TEFAF art fair are held.
TEFAF
The organization of the international art fair has also previously commented on the possible closure of the airport. According to the organization, closure could mean the end of TEFAF in Maastricht. Every year, around 150 private planes land at Maastricht Aachen Airport during the art fair with visitors from TEFAF. “If access to the fair becomes a lot more difficult for our customers, the quality and therefore the survival of TEFAF will be jeopardized. Then we are forced to look at other options,” said TEFAF chairman Hidde van Seggelen earlier. .
Also read: End of airport can also mean end of TEFAF Maastricht