Zuid-Holland is looking into transforming or moving Rotterdam Airport

The province of Zuid-Holland will research what effect transforming Rotterdam Airport into a business park, a recreational or nature reserve, or a housing location would have. Zuid-Holland is looking for a renowned agency in the field of social cost-benefit analysis to help with the research. The goal is for the research to start by the end of this year and the study's results to be released in the winter of 2025.

The coalition parties GroenLinks-PvdA, BBB, VVD, and CDA agreed last year to research the "current societal and economic worth" of Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTHA). They also want to know what the location is worth for "eventual alternative functions."

GroenLinks and PvdA, which were not a joint faction at the last provincial elections, both stated in their election manifestos that the Rotterdam airport is too close to make space for a "green residential area."

BBB is considering moving the airport to the Tweede Maasvlakte. CDA has said that there is no room for growth and that the nuisance needs to be pushed back. The VVD thinks that the RTHA is vitally essential for the local economy.

Main points for the research have been drawn up by the province. Zuid-Holland is having an analysis made regarding five possible options, including the airport continuing with its current activities. Other options include transformation into a housing location, a business park, or a location for recreation and/or nature. A combination of these options is also being looked into.

The cost-benefit analysis is meant to bring insight into the positive and negative effects any of the options could have on society. "All options will be looked at in the same way. This creates the most objective possible picture of these options," the province added.

Zuid-Holland has set aside around 200,000 euros for the research. The province will also get a second opinion from an independent agency that is not involved with the primary research.

"Everyone is free to conduct research; we do not respond to this substantively," says an RTHA spokeswoman. "We already knew that this was an outcome of the Provincial Council elections." The airport falls under the Schiphol Group, which is largely owned by the Dutch state. The municipalities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam also have shares in this.