Dutch Government decides to open Lelystad Airport to commercial air traffic

After more than ten years of discussion, the new political coalition in the Netherlands has provided clarity about the future of Lelystad Airport. The opening of Lelystad Airport to commercial traffic has a lot of support in the region and among the Dutch.

Operated by the Royal Schiphol Group -which also manages Amsterdam-Schiphol airport, Lelystad is the busiest General Aviation airport in the Netherlands.  On fine days, there are between 350-450 air transport movements. Lelystad Airport has around 80,000 air transport movements per year.

But now, the airport is ready to take a new role by welcoming commercial flights.

CEO Jan Eerkens: “We are pleased that the three forming parties have made real choices and have decided that Lelystad Airport can finally open as a full-fledged passenger airport. This decision is a starting signal to get to work as quickly as possible: together with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands, the province, municipalities, airlines, and our surroundings, we will realize the actual opening of the airport as soon as possible. We do this carefully, of course, within all legal requirements, and we believe it’s important to continue involving our neighbors in the development of Lelystad Airport.”

Lelystad to be ready for holiday flights in 2027

For Lelystad Airport, it goes without saying that the airport does this in good harmony with its neighbors and the surrounding area. The airport has worked intensively with all those directly involved in recent years and made concrete agreements, and we will continue to do so.

Lelystad Airport aims to open its doors in 2027 and welcome the first passengers for holiday flights. Construction has started for a passenger terminal with an area of 12,000 m2, with 7,000 m2 as a passenger waiting area and 1,200 m2 reserved for shops and restaurants. Additionally, 3,000 m2 is designated for baggage handling, and 800 m2 is used for offices.

The runway has been extended to 3,300 m and widened, while parking positions for four aircraft have been constructed. The commercial airport will be able to support operations up to 10,000 flight movements per year for holiday/leisure air traffic. This corresponds to a total of 14 flights per day. Lelystad will then help to partially alleviate Schiphol airport’s saturation.

In a release, ACI Europe welcomed the Dutch Government’s decision to finally open Lelystad Airport to commercial flights, calling it a necessary and strategic step to safeguard the Netherlands’ connectivity, competitiveness and regional development.

The decision will enable the Dutch aviation system to better meet current and future demand, while supporting economic growth, territorial cohesion, and resilience through dual civil-military use.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe, commented: “There is no doubt whatsoever that allowing the use of Lelystad Airport will boost the Dutch economy and deliver significant socio-economic benefits at local and regional level. With every 10% increase in air connectivity generating a 0.5% rise in GDP per capita and a 1.6% increase in employment, ensuring that airports can accommodate demand is a prerequisite for economic growth, cohesion and the fight against territorial inequality.” 

He added: “But this decision is also very relevant for Europe’s competitiveness. At a time when our global competitors are expanding airport capacity and placing air connectivity at the heart of their economic and strategic development policies, Europe is facing an acute airport capacity crunch. We have simply failed to develop infrastructure in line with demand and have been squeezing the lemons for too long.The decision on Lelystad Airport therefore sends an important signal — not just for the Netherlands, but for Europe’s competitiveness as a whole.”