By our economics editors
Jan 30, 2024 at 4:28 PM Update: 3 days ago
The House of Representatives wants Lelystad Airport to definitely not be used for commercial air traffic. A call for this from the Party for the Animals, among others, received support from other left-wing parties and from NSC, CDA and BBB.
According to the authors of the motion, the airport is bad for the climate and public health. They also fear that it will increase nitrogen problems in the Netherlands.
The parties therefore call on the outgoing cabinet to definitively not allow commercial flights in Lelystad.
The province of Flevoland considers it a “disappointing signal for the region”, a spokesperson said on Tuesday evening. The province was also surprised by it, because the subject had been declared controversial.
The final decision is up to a new cabinet. Two parties that agreed to the motion – BBB and NSC – are currently discussing the formation of a new government with VVD and PVV. Those two parties did not agree to the motion.
It is not yet clear what the four parties will decide when they actually form a new cabinet.
The airport was supposed to be a backup for Schiphol
Lelystad Airport was designated years ago as a backup for Schiphol. Holiday flights would eventually have to divert to the airport in the Flevopolder, which underwent a major and expensive renovation.
The holiday flights would provide jobs for people from the area and provide an economic boost for the province. The airport is ready, but no commercial aircraft has ever taken off from Lelystad Airport.
The intervention was intended to give Schiphol the opportunity to concentrate on its role as an international aviation hub. Since then, social and political support for growth in the aviation sector has declined significantly.
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View the abandoned multi-million Lelystad Airport project
Image: Robin Utrecht
