Eindhoven Airport is closing, no passengers and no work for taxi drivers now that the defense wants to completely renovate the runway at Eindhoven Air Base.
One of the important hubs for both commercial and military aviation in the south of the Netherlands is on the eve of a major transformation. The heart of this operation is the complete renovation of the runway by Defense, the owner of the facility. This renovation, planned to take no less than five months, will have a significant impact on both the local community and travelers used to flying from Eindhoven.
This large-scale operation, during which the airport will be temporarily closed, requires travelers to divert to alternative airports. This is what the Eindhovens Dagblad writes. The impact of this closure is twofold: on the one hand, it offers a period of peace for local residents who may experience inconvenience from air traffic; on the other hand, it brings inconveniences for holidaymakers and other travelers who have to adjust their plans.
Defense has unveiled plans for a complete renovation of the runway at Eindhoven Air Base, which will close the airport for five months. It has been determined that large-scale renovation work will have to take place in and around the runway system for the runway at Eindhoven Air Base. To prevent additional or unnecessary decommissioning of the runways, the renovation of the runway will be carried out simultaneously with the widening of the shoulders, replacement of the aircraft braking system (VAI), the construction of the parallel eastern runway and installation of ILS CAT III.
Eindhoven Air Base is home to it Air mobility command of the Royal Air Force. Its main task is to perform military airlift for global military operations, humanitarian missions and special assignments. In addition, air force personnel perform airport duties for Eindhoven day and night Airport.
The challenge is to complete the work in a period of 22 weeks. The runway will be closed during this implementation period.
The renovation work includes not only the renewal of the asphalt but also an upgrade of the infrastructure, such as improved lighting, cabling, and drainage. A notable improvement is the upgrade of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) from category 1 to category 3. This advanced system makes landing and take-off possible in very dense fog, a significant improvement compared to the current situation where flights often have to be canceled during poor visibility. This upgrade, with a cost of approximately ten million euros, promises to significantly increase the operational reliability of the airport.
In addition to the renovation of the runway itself, the plans also include extensions that should improve the safety and efficiency of the airport. An example of this is the introduction of a braking system for fighter aircraft and the construction of a second taxiway, which eliminates the need for aircraft to cross the runway. These expansions are not only intended to facilitate commercial flights but also to increase the military capabilities of the base.
However, the timing of the renovation comes at a time when Defense wants to expand its activities in Eindhoven, partly due to increased international threats. This emphasizes the strategic value of the air base, not only for the region but for the entire Netherlands.
renovation
While the exact start date of the work is still unknown, it reports Eindhovens Dagblad, it is clear that the preparation and implementation of this project will be a complex undertaking. It requires careful planning and coordination between various parties, including Defense, the Central Government Real Estate Agency, and the chosen contractors. The length of the renovation becomes clear from a market consultation started by the Central Government Real Estate Agency, for which interested contractors can register until the end of this month. Six parties will be chosen from the candidates to compete for the tender.
The project underlines the importance of Eindhoven Airport as a crucial infrastructure for both civil and military aviation. The renovation and expansion will strengthen the airport's position as a modern, efficient, and safe hub for the future. It promises a new chapter for Eindhoven Airport, focusing on the balance between the needs of travelers, the local community, and national defense
Eindhoven Airport
Eindhoven Airport welcomed a total of more than 2023 million passengers in 6,8 (departing and arriving). That is the highest number of passengers ever. In 2022, the number of passengers totaled 6,3 million. In 2019, more than 6,7 million passengers traveled to or from Eindhoven Airport. With almost 95.000 more passengers than in 2019, 2023 is a record year for Eindhoven Airport. In 2023, the average number of passengers per flight was high.
