Minister Mark Harbers of Infrastructure (VVD) says he has no pressure to force the Schiphol Group to put money into Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA) if it is not economically responsible.
In a parliamentary committee on aviation, Harbers responded to a plea from the Heerlen PVV MP Dion Graus to do so because the government is a major shareholder of Schiphol.
Also read: Majority of Limburg Parliament tends to keep open MAA
support
Graus believes that MAA should receive financial support from the government in either direction, either directly or through the Schiphol Group. But according to the minister, he has no budget for this himself and the only possible route is via Schiphol.
Conversations
In that regard, Minister Harbers pointed out that he had urged the Schiphol Group to enter into discussions with MAA. In the discussions that subsequently took place, in addition to the province and the airport, the ministry itself also sat at the table.
“Those discussions have been constructive. Schiphol sees opportunities. They are certainly not saying no at the moment, but they are also not saying yes. We are waiting for a decision from provincial politicians about the future of MAA,” said Harbers.
Also read: Schiphol Group: no big bag of money for MAA, but help
Maintenance
He once again emphasized that Schiphol Group wants overdue maintenance and, in particular, a new runway to be arranged before it wants to start working with MAA, in whatever form.
Decision
On Friday, the Limburg Parliament will make a decision about MAA and that new job. A large majority seems to be in favor of keeping open and for controlled growth of MAA. However, it is not yet clear exactly under what conditions.
Also read: Minister: ‘No money for MAA, but support for sustainability’
Support
Minister Harbers already announced that he wanted to support the province as owner and operator of MAA in reducing the nuisance for local residents. He also offered legal assistance with the application for a new permit.
Problems Schiphol
VVD, PVV and CDA also urged the House of Representatives committee to transfer hundreds of flights from Schiphol to MAA and Eelde airport in Groningen. In this way the enormous problems at Schiphol due to a lack of security personnel can be solved. And no flights need to be cancelled, so the three parties.
Minister Harbers replied that Schiphol is seriously considering this.
Also read: Tension rises for MAA airport staff