Lelystad officials slam government delay on airport opening for vacation flights

The municipality of Lelystad expressed strong frustration after the Dutch cabinet again postponed a decision on opening Lelystad Airport for vacation flights, calling the delay a “disgrace” and accusing national politicians of unreliability after more than fifteen years of waiting.

The government recently designated Lelystad Airport, located in Flevoland, as the intended base for the F-35s. However, the province of Flevoland and the Lelystad municipality have made clear they will accept the stationing of fighter jets only if the airport also opens for vacation flights. This condition lacks majority support in the Tweede Kamer, leading to the current stalemate.

Mayor Mieke Baltus of Lelystad, a member of the CDA party, said the ongoing delay leaves local government feeling “deeply outraged” and “bitterly disappointed.” She stressed that the airport’s future must include commercial passenger flights alongside the planned deployment of F-35 fighter jets. “For Lelystad, it is unacceptable that only military jets arrive without any social or economic benefits for the region,” Baltus said. “We understand national security needs, but these cannot disproportionately harm local interests.”

The airport’s CEO, Jan Eerkens, described the cabinet’s decision to establish a joint civil-military base as a “positive first step.” He urged swift cooperation between all parties to realize the agreements, emphasizing that the plans would contribute to both national security and the regional economy. “After years of discussions, it is vital we now take rapid next steps,” Eerkens said.

Yet opposition remains strong among environmental and local advocacy groups. Stichting Red de Veluwe, formed by residents concerned about noise pollution from planned low-flying vacation flights, criticized Minister of Infrastructure Barry Madlener’s continued search for political and public support. The foundation called the ongoing process “a repetition of failed attempts” since there is no majority backing in the Tweede Kamer or the cabinet for opening the airport to holiday flights. “No support means no,” the group stated.

The activists also highlighted that proposed low-flight routes over the Veluwe region have not been canceled, and Lelystad Airport lacks a necessary nature permit. They warned that even if such a permit were granted in the future, courts would ultimately decide if vacation flights could proceed legally.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Lelystad and the province expressed their “extreme dissatisfaction” with the government’s postponement. They described it as a “blow” to the region’s hopes for economic growth tied to civil aviation and reiterated their firm stance against hosting only military aircraft. Baltus said, “We are convinced the cabinet will still approve the airport’s opening for commercial passenger flights.” She called the delay “an insult to local leadership” in Flevoland.