Groningen Airport Eelde

Groningen Airport Eelde (IATA: GRQ, ICAO: EHGG) is a minor international airport in the northeastern Netherlands. It is located near Eelde in the Province of Drenthe, 4.8 nautical miles (8.9 km; 5.5 mi) south of the City of Groningen in the Province of Groningen.[1] In 2015, the airport handled 220,710 passengers. The airport is also the home base of the KLM Flight Academy, Noord Nederlandse Aero Club (NNAC) and General Enterprises.

Groningen Airport Eelde
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorGroningen Airport Eelde NV
ServesGroningen, Netherlands
LocationEelde, Drenthe
Focus city for
Elevation AMSL17 ft / 5 m
Coordinates53°07′30″N 06°35′00″E
WebsiteGroningenAirport.nl
Map
GRQ
Location in the Netherlands
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
05/23 2,500 8,202 Asphalt
01/19 (closed) 1,500 4,921 Asphalt
Statistics (2017)
Passengers242,000
Aircraft movements27,000
Source: AIP from AIS the Netherlands,[1] CBS Statistics Netherlands[2]

The airport started under the name "Hakenkampsveld" in 1928 and was officially opened in 1931. It was renamed "Luchthaven Eelde" in 1933. During World War II, the German military occupied the airport. Since 1958, there have been European destinations from the airport. Since 1988, the airport has been called Groningen Airport Eelde.

History

1920s–1930s: The First Years

Groningen Airport Eelde's (GAE) history can be traced back to 1927, when Hayo Hindriks, an ex-alderman of the municipality Eelde, approached the KLM (without informing the community's council). He knew that the KLM would be interested in an air link between Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Groningen.[3]

On July 13, 1928, the community's council agreed on a proposal to allocate 'Hakenkampsveld', a 12 hectare terrain within the municipality of Eelde, as an airport. The airport was officially opened by mayor Jan Gerard Legro on May 23, 1931. 40,000 visitors watched the air show, which was held to celebrate the opening. On August 15 of the same year the first scheduled service between Eelde and Amsterdam/Schiphol started, which did not appear to be viable.[3]

In 1933, the airport's name was changed to "NV Luchthaven Eelde". Stockholders were the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, the municipalities of Groningen, Eelde and Assen and the Chambers of Commerce and Factories for Groningen, Drenthe and the peat-colonies. Now there was money to expand the airport. At that time the airport's area covered 12 hectares. A new service between the airport and Amsterdam/Schiphol was set up.[3]

1940s: In and after World War II
The Irish Regiment of Canada salutes General Crerar during a review at the airport in 1945.

During World War II, between 1940 and 1945, the airport was occupied by the German military. However, its hangars were completely destroyed by Dutch soldiers, when they retreated from the militarily superior invaders. The occupation was a severe blow to the airport's promising expectations, but the airport played an important role in the war. During the occupation, the airport was expanded considerably by the Germans. Many hangars were built and the apron was expanded to accommodate fighter aircraft.[3]

Early 1945, the Germans abandoned their "Fliegerhorst". During the German retreat, a member of the local resistance, W.W. Krijthe, prevented the airport from being blown up, by cutting the explosives' ignition wires. In the summer of 1945 Canadian soldiers used the airport to store vehicles of the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division.[3]

The Canadians called the site "Finitocamp".[4]

The airfield returned to the hands of the NV Luchtvaartterrein Noord-Nederland. The national government shouldered most of the cost of restoring the damaged drainage system in the airfield. The government subsidized further developments at the airport so that it could meet international standards and remain registered for aviation.[5]

The airport was appointed as an alternative airport for flights bound for Amsterdam/Schiphol, in 1948. To cater for these deviating aircraft, a new base plan had to be designed for the levelling and drainage of the runways (with an 1,800 metres long main runway and a secondary measuring 1,500 metres), taxiways and apron. The new runways were finally ready for service in 1953, making the site an official aerodrome.

1950s

On August 16, 1954, the Rijksluchtvaartschool (RLS) – or National Aviation Academy in English – moved to the airport from Gilze-Rijen. The KLM would acquire ownership of the RLS in 1991, becoming the KLM Flight Academy. In the course of the next two years after 1954, a flight theory school, the secondary and final flight education as well as other branches transferred to Eelde, making the airport an important aviation training site.[3]

In 1956, the airport was renamed as "Luchthaven Eelde NV".[6] The official opening of the airport building complex took place the following year on May 15, by Prince Bernard.[3]

The first landing of a European aeroplane took place on July 13, 1958. Twelve passengers boarded the aircraft, making a trip to Mallorca for a fourteen day vacation. In the same year, a new air traffic control tower was put into use.[3]

1960s–1970s
An NLM Fokker F.27 Friendship on a national flight in March 1967 showing the terminal and facilities

During the 1960s, the scheduled services were restored, initially, national flights operated by NLM. The airfield was seen to have the potential to operate usefully as a regional airport and to play a role in the infrastructure of the northern part of the Netherlands. The Study Committee for the Development of Eelde Airport was established. The committee suggested taking a closer look at regional airports in other countries and seeing how they had developed. Eelde airport seemed to be a key part of a larger system of infrastructure in the region. Another finding was that aircraft noise was a bigger problem at Eelde than at similar airports. Therefore, a noise pollution committee was established.[7]

In 1977, a new passenger terminal opened and more parking space for cars was constructed. Adding to this, a bus link to the city of Groningen was established, improving the airport's accessibility. Work started to expand the apron and add a hangar. In the same year, the Dutch ministry of infrastructure and the environment published the Structural Plan for Civil Aerodromes. This plan stated that an expansion of the main runway by 500 metres should be taken into account. This would make flights of all aircraft types possible.

1980s–1990s
Boeing 737-229 of Trans European Airways at the airport in 1988

From 1979 to 1982, the buildings housing the State Aviation Service (Rijksluchtvaartdienst) and the meteorological service were modernised. A new air traffic control tower was constructed.

The aerodrome's name was changed once again in 1988, becoming officially "Groningen Airport Eelde NV". This was decided because the airport's international significance had steadily increased over the years.

With the airport becoming more crowded due to holiday flights, it was decided to join the two existing passenger halls together. This created a single departure hall capable of holding 200 passengers. The merge also resulted in an arrivals hall with a conveyor belt. A new car park was added as well. Groningen Airport Eelde received a sum of 2.5 million guilders for a new passage hall. This sum was donated by the European support fund ISP, which was granted by the province of Drenthe. This would finance almost one-third of the costs of the new hall.

In 1997, the Dutch government planned to stop financial support to most regional airports. Despite this, the airport was still entitled to 25 million guilders (about 11.3 million euros) for the expansion of its main runway. On November 12, 1999, the government agreed with the proposal to extend the runway, provided that the flying of training circuits by large aircraft be terminated.

2000s–2010s
Transavia Boeing 737-800 in 2007

In April 2000, the majority of the Dutch parliament had no objection against the runway extension, but due to changing environmental legislation and civil objection procedures, it would take 12 more years until the project was actually started.[3]

Ryanair started a scheduled service to its London Stansted base in 2003. This service attracted many passengers to the airport.[8] However, this service did not last long; Ryanair terminated the service in May 2004. One reason for this was the limited length of the main runway, limiting the aircraft's effective range and maximum load.[3]

Finally, the province's State of Council gave the final go-ahead for the runway extension on February 15, 2012. Ryanair announced three new routes, returning to the airport after eight years.[3] The extended runway was put into service on April 24, 2013.[9] However, once again Ryanair did not operate from Eelde for long, the last flight being in November 2014.[10]

In June 2014, UK low-cost carrier Flybe commenced a new year-round service to London-Southend. From March 2018 this service was greatly expanded, from six to 18 flights per week.[11]

On 19 September 2016, Nordica started operating two flights a day between Groningen and Copenhagen.[12] In November 2018, Nordica announced it would close its base in Groningen by December, shutting down the year-round routes to Copenhagen an Munich as well as seasonal services to Ibiza and Nice.[13]

On 4 March 2019, flights to Copenhagen resumed, now carried out by AIS Airlines with 19-seat BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft.[14]

Runways

Groningen Airport Eelde has two asphalt paved runways. Runway 05/23 measures 2,500 m × 45 m (8,202 ft × 148 ft), which has recently been extended from 1,800 meters. Runway 01/19 is shorter, measuring 1,500 m × 45 m (4,921 ft × 148 ft). Only runway 23 has a DME/ILS (localizer at 109,9 MHz, no markers).

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines operate services to/from Groningen Airport:[15]

AirlinesDestinations
Blue Islands Seasonal charter: Guernsey
Corendon Airlines Seasonal: Antalya, Bodrum
Corendon Dutch Airlines Seasonal: Heraklion
Transavia Seasonal: Heraklion, Palma de Mallorca
TUI fly Netherlands Gran Canaria

Statistics

Top destinations
Most frequent flights from Groningen Airport Eelde (Summer 2020)
RankDestinationsFrequency
(weekly)		Airline(s)
1 Heraklion 4 CD, HV
Most frequent flights from Groningen Airport Eelde (Winter 2019/2020)
RankDestinationsFrequency
(weekly)		Airline(s)
1 London (Southend) 10 BE
2 Copenhagen 10 IS
3 Münster 10 IS
4 Gran Canaria 2 OR
Most frequent flights from Groningen Airport Eelde (Summer 2019)
RankDestinationsFrequency
(weekly)		Airline(s)
1 London (Southend) 10 BE
2 Copenhagen 10 IS
3 Heraklion 4 HV
4 Gran Canaria 2 OR

Annual passenger and aircraft movements

From CBS Statistics Netherlands[2][16] and annual reports Groningen Airport Eelde[17][18][19]

YearAircraft movements (change)[2][16]Passengers (change)[2][16]Passengers (change)
[inclusive transfer][20]
199785,78183,151
199888,980 ( +4.0%)114,160 (+37.3%)113,119 ( +30,4%)
199981,879 ( -8.0%)90,168 (-21.0%)110,059 ( -2,7%)
200069,054 (-15.7%)78,266 (-13.2%)112,367 ( +2,1%)
200161,324 (-11.2%)94,220 (+20.4%)132,155 ( +17,6%)
200267,783 (+10.5%)107,466 (+14.1%)148,291 ( +12,2%)
200354,890 (-19.0%)137,607 (+28.0%)177,851 ( +20,0%)
200443,146 (-21.4%)119,218 (-13.4%)155,534 ( -12,6%)
200544,925 ( +4.1%)122,794 ( +3.0%)162,875 ( +4,7%)
200654,843 (+22.1%)129,012 ( +5.1%)166,240 ( +2,1%)
200759,406 ( +8.3%)135,726 ( +5.2%)172,458 ( +3,7%)
200861,322 ( +3.2%)148,949 ( +9.7%)190,034 ( +10,2%)
200965,617 ( +7.0%)136,044 ( -8.7%)167,107 ( -12,1%)
201063,866 ( -2.7%)122,659 ( -9.8%)153,637 ( -8,1%)
201152,774 ( -17.3%)114,327 ( -6.8%)148,850 ( -3,2%)
201246,418 ( -12.0%)180,812 ( +58.2%)208,669 ( +40.2%)
201343,836 ( -5.7%)176,212 ( -2.5%)201,721 ( -3.3%)
201438,951 ( -11.1%)169,369 ( -3.9%)199,646 ( -1.0%)
201523,456 ( -39.8%)180,879 ( +6.8%)220,710 ( +10.6%)
201624,746 ( +5.5%)152,451 ( +15.7%)180,399 ( -18.2%)
201727,005 ( +8.4%)201,786 ( +49.6%)227,982 ( +26.4%)
201821,694 ( -19.7%)228,698 ( +13.5%)241,737 ( +6%)

Ground transportation

Car

Groningen Airport Eelde is accessible by car using exit 37 of the Motorway A28.

Bicycle

Separated bicycle infrastructure exists almost the entire way from the City of Groningen to Groningen Airport Eelde using either the Groningerweg/Hoofdweg or the bicycle paths parallel to the A28/E232 motorway.

Public transport

The closest major railway stations are in Assen and Groningen.

Buses connect the airport with Groningen. A bus connection to Assen is possible with a change in De Punt.

  • Line 9 is operated by Qbuzz and is a regular city bus that connects Groningen Noord railway station with the village of De Punt via the city centre, Groningen railway station, the town of Eelde and the airport. At De Punt bus station, line 9 connects with line 50 to Assen railway station. Lines 9 and 50 both operate half-hourly from Monday to Saturday during the morning and afternoon, and hourly on evenings and Sundays.[21]
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References
  1. EHGG – GRONINGEN/Eelde. AIP from AIS the Netherlands, effective 13 August 2020
  2. "Luchtvaart; maandcijfers Nederlandse luchthavens van nationaal belang". CBS Statistics Netherlands. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  3. "Vliegveld Eelde". Historical Society Drenthe. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  4. "1939-1945". Historic Survey. Groningen Airport Eelde. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  5. "1946". Historic Survey. Groningen Airport Eelde. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  6. "1956". Historic Survey. Groningen Airport Eelde. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  7. "The 1960s". Historic Survey. Groningen Airport Eelde. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  8. "2003". Historisch overzicht (Dutch). Groningen Airport Eelde. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  9. "Baanverlenging Groningen Airport Eelde gereed (Dutch)". Groningen Airport Eelde. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  10. "Laatste vlucht Ryanair vanaf Eelde gaat niet". RTV Drenthe. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2017-11-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Airport Eelde krijgt hub naar Kopenhagen". Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  13. luchtvaartnieuws.nl - Vertrek Nordica flinke domper voor Groningen Airport Eelde 3 December 2018
  14. Eerste toestel van nieuwe lijndienst uit Kopenhagen landt met acht passagiers op Groningen Airport Eelde Dagblad van het Noorden. 4 March 2019
  15. https://www.groningenairport.nl/vluchtschema-3/timetable-zomerseizoen-2020
  16. "WèMf ^ ^ ' *#- Luchthavens in Nederland: een compendium R6-C72. Directoraat-CjeneraalRijkslucbtvaarftlienst. i -,.'.;,-:.^^". docplayer.nl. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  17. Yumpu.com. "Jaarverslag 2009.pdf - Groningen Airport Eelde". yumpu.com. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  18. Jaarverslag Groningen Airport Eelde 2011
  19. Jaarverslag Groningen Airport Eelde 2014
  20. Statistics from annual reports 2009-2014. Transfer passengers are included, in contrast with the CBS statistics.
  21. Qbuzz timetable 2018 Groningen & Drenthe -

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