There is a heavy burden on the shoulders of the members of the Provincial Council, who will decide on the survival of Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA) on 3 June. This is what states members Marcel Thewissen (SVL) and Wouter IJpelaar (CDA) state on Thursday in L1mburg Central on L1 TV.
The Limburg representatives will meet on Friday in the States Committee about what will happen to the airport: will it close its doors or will it remain open? And if so, under what conditions?
‘Hangs over heads’
SVL’er Thewissen believes that it is important that the bullet goes through the church regarding the airport. “It has been hanging over people’s heads literally and figuratively for far too long. How difficult it still is, there must be clarity.”
He says to be happy with the involvement of many Limburgers, but that emotions regularly get the upper hand. “It is up to us to separate the rationale and the facts from the emotion. That is not always easy.” There are many stakeholders involved in the matter, including airport staff, local residents, nature organizations and even the TEFAF art fair, which would find it more difficult to proceed without the airport. 22 speakers will be present at Thursday’s meeting.
Also read: End of airport can also mean end of TEFAF Maastricht
Threats
Colleagues of the states members say they have faced threats from stakeholders. This is not the case for the SVL and CDA members. thewissen: “There have been situations when you sometimes find something in the letterbox or when a local police officer calls you that something is going on. But I find it difficult to estimate whether that has anything to do with this file.”
IJpelaar also notices that those involved sometimes express their feelings. “It comes with emotions, but I can place those emotions.” The politician also believes that it is impossible to please everyone.
‘Information overload’
The people’s representatives have a day job speaking with stakeholders and taking in all available information. CDA member IJpelaar says he has spoken to all interest groups ‘almost twice’. “As a member of parliament you get an information overload.” Yet he is at peace with that. “You are elected, then you take responsibility. This is one of the biggest dossiers we face as a province, then you have to make room.”
Being a member of parliament is a side job for many members. Usually he or she is paid about 1500 euros per month for about 20 hours of work per week.
Future MON
The Limburg Parliament ultimately chooses from four scenarios, one of which is the closure of the airport. Other options on the table are maximum growth and growth without increasing nuisance. On the other hand, the airport could also focus more on freight transport or more sustainable (electric) aircraft.
If there is a majority in favor of keeping the airport open, a new runway will be built anyway. It is expected to cost more than 35 million euros. On the other hand, closing the airport costs about 240 million euros.
Decision
At the end of April, a proposal from the Provincial Executive led to confusion and unrest among employees. The proposal, which substantiates all scenarios with advantages and disadvantages, would give the impression that the Provincial Executive prefers to close the airport.
Also read: Province creates the wrong image about the future of MAA
It is still unclear which scenario IJpelaar and Thewissen will go for. “We still have the necessary questions and based on the answers we will have to choose a position,” explains Thewissen. His colleague ‘already has a direction’, but keeps it to himself for a while.