Brussels: ACI EUROPE, the European airport trade body, today 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.”

“This reality is clearly highlighted in research by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) just published earlier this week, which shows that Europe’s cumulative airport capacity gap is set to reach 590 million passengers by 2030. The decision on Lelystad Airport therefore sends an important signal — not just for the Netherlands, but for Europe’s competitiveness as a whole.”