Draft Airport Decision Groningen Airport Eelde: Room for Growth with Eye on the Environment

Groningen Airport Eelde will have extended opening hours. The cabinet agrees to the request that the regional airport made last year. The aim is to make the regional airport more attractive to airlines, which will be able to offer more (holiday) flights due to the change. It is expected that Groningen Airport Eelde could facilitate an additional 150 flights per year in the long run. This provides the airport with the opportunity to achieve a better financial position.

This is stated in the draft airport decision by Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management). Once the airport decision is finalized, Groningen Airport Eelde will be allowed to stay open one hour longer in the evening. At a later stage, the airport will also be allowed to open half an hour earlier in the morning. This is partly dependent on the capacity of the Dutch Air Traffic Control (LVNL).

Groningen Airport Eelde plays an important role in regional mobility and contributes to economic activity. It is also home to the KLM Flight Academy and the trauma helicopter of Groningen UMC, particularly for organ donations. Groningen Airport Eelde wants to grow and has therefore submitted an application for an airport decision to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management in July 2024. The draft airport decision provides the airport the space to realize its growth plans for the future and to become a future-proof airport.

In line with the framework agreement, the draft decision takes into account not only growth but also the environment surrounding the airport. Calculations made in the context of the application for the decision show that future noise levels will remain within the currently applicable agreements. This is because the airport currently produces significantly less noise than is permitted and because aircraft have become quieter over the years.

Additionally, the airport will receive four extra enforcement points for noise. The current requirement of two points at the beginning and end of the runway is no longer sufficient. The new decision will therefore take more account of contiguous buildings. The extra enforcement points provide legal protection for residents and offer more opportunities for the Environmental Protection Agency (ILT) to better monitor aircraft noise levels and impose measures if necessary.

Finally, the airport will reduce local air pollution by supplying aircraft with electricity while they are on the platform – for heating or air conditioning, for example. This means that aircraft will no longer need to run auxiliary engines.

The draft airport decision will go into consultation starting February 7. Those who wish to can respond until March 20, 2025. After approval by the House of Representatives and review by the Council of State, the cabinet can make a final airport decision for Groningen Airport Eelde by the end of 2025.