The Dutch government is currently weighing Lelystad Airport as the potential new base for its F-35 fighter jets. This move has sparked considerable debate, primarily concerning the noise pollution associated with military flights. According to State Secretary Gijs Tuinman, research indicates Lelystad might incur 'significant less negative noise effects on residences' compared to other candidate locations, making it appear to be the most suitable option.
Alongside Lelystad, the De Peel Airbase, Groningen Airport Eelde, Twente Airport, and Woensdrecht Airbase are also being considered. Not everyone, though, is convinced of this choice. Local official Melkert voiced his concerns, stating, 'Dit gaat gewoon overlast geven, dat geldt voor alle plekken die op het lijstje staan. De vliegtuigen maken veel lawaai. Aan de andere kant: de luchtmacht moet wel kunnen trainen en heeft meer oefenruimte nodig.' (This will simply create noise disturbance, which applies to all the locations on the list. The planes are noisy. On the other hand, the air force needs to train and requires more practice space.)
For the municipality of Lelystad, the interest rests heavily on commercial airport operations. Wethouder Dennis Grimbergen pointed out, 'Als het kabinet inderdaad Lelystad Airport aanwijst als locatie voor extra gevechtsvliegtuigen, dan mag dit geen belemmering vormen voor de potentie van het gebied en de economische ontwikkeling van de regio.' (If the cabinet designates Lelystad Airport as the location for additional fighter jets, it must not hinder the region's potential and economic development.) This reflects the dual desires of potential military utility and local economic aspirations, as the airport is primarily intended for regular holiday flight operations currently displaced from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.
The prospect of dual usage for both military and civilian operations, referred to as 'civiel medegebruik' (civil co-use), is raised by local commentators. Melkert noted, 'Technisch gezien kan dat ook gewoon in Lelystad. De start- en landingsbaan is ook lang genoeg voor de JSF, dus dat is het probleem niet.' (Technically, it is feasible at Lelystad. The runway is also sufficiently long for the JSF, so that's not the issue.) This creates room for conversation around how best to utilize the existing infrastructure.
Despite the strategic necessity of having military facilities, concerns persist around noise levels for nearby residents. The local government has consistently flagged noise pollution as a significant issue, leading to communications with the Ministry of Defence to express opposition to expansions at various locations, including Volkel Air Base. Following the recent announcements, the municipality of Maashorst welcomed the exclusion of Volkel from the proposed expansions, with Mayor Hans van der Pas affirming, 'We hadden namens gemeente Maashorst aan het ministerie ook al laten weten dat zo’n uitbreiding wat ons betreft niet wenselijk is.' (We had already informed the ministry on behalf of the municipality of Maashorst, stating such expansions are undesirable for us.)
Moving forward, the government is expected to finalize its selection process for base locations by early next year. By then, they will present the draft policy program as part of the National Program Space for Defence (NPRD), detailing preferred alternatives for additional military use. Citizens and organizations will be invited to submit their opinions before the policy vision is locked down.
The dialogues surrounding the potential military use of Lelystad Airport reflect larger tensions between military requirements for operational readiness and the quality of life for surrounding communities. Many residents are already familiar with noise from civilian flights, but adding military operations to the mix stands to amplify existing challenges. Striking the right balance between fulfilling national defense needs and mitigating community disruption remains complex.
Nonetheless, as the discussions continue, insights from key voices within local governance and the military spectrum will undoubtedly play pivotal roles. Whether Lelystad's selection confirms the optimal choice for operational effectiveness or sets off waves of community dissent will become clearer as future conversations and decisions solidify those details.
With all these factors at play, the path forward for the F-35 base location will involve not only technical assessments but also thorough public engagement—in hopes of reconciling the needs of the military with the expectations of residents who face the everyday realities of living near such flights.
