Groningen Airport Eelde gets the green light for extended opening hours.
The cabinet agrees to the regional airport's request to remain open longer, which offers opportunities for additional flights and economic growth. The decision is laid down in the draft airport decision by Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management) and should make Groningen Airport Eelde more attractive to airlines.
The plans show that the airport can eventually facilitate 150 extra flights per year. This should help to strengthen the financial position of the airport. As soon as the airport decision becomes final, Groningen Airport Eelde will be allowed to stay open an hour longer in the evening. At a later time, the airport will also open half an hour earlier in the morning, depending on the available capacity at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL).
function for the region
Groningen Airport Eelde plays a crucial role in the mobility of the North and contributes to the economic activity in the region. In addition to commercial flights, the airport houses the KLM Flight Academy and functions as a base for the UMCG trauma helicopter, which is used for emergency transport of donor organs, among other things.
In July 2024, the airport submitted an official application to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to extend its opening hours. The draft airport decision makes this extension possible and offers room for further growth. The airport wants to develop into a future-proof airport that continues to play an important role for both business and leisure travelers.
Although growth of the airport is central, the environment is also taken into account. The calculations underlying the decision show that the future noise level will remain within the existing standards. This is partly because the airport currently produces less noise than permitted and because aircraft have become quieter in recent years.
Residents will receive additional legal protection thanks to four new enforcement points for noise. The existing standard, in which measurements were only taken at the beginning and end of the track, is no longer sufficient. The additional measuring points ensure that the noise level is monitored more accurately and that the Inspectorate for the Environment and Transport (ILT) can intervene if necessary.
In addition, the airport is taking steps to reduce local air pollution. Aircraft on the apron must be supplied with electrical power instead of using auxiliary engines for air conditioning or heating, for example. This reduces emissions and contributes to a more sustainable airport policy.
consultation round
The draft airport decision will be open for consultation from 7 February. Interested parties can respond to the plans until 20 March 2025. After assessment by the House of Representatives and the Council of State, the cabinet can make a final decision on the extension of the opening hours of Groningen Airport Eelde at the end of 2025.
With these developments, the airport wants to strengthen its position and better respond to the growing demand for air travel. At the same time, measures are being taken to limit the impact on the environment and make the airport future-proof.
