At Lelystad Airport, in the initial phase with 10,000 flight movements, fewer than 50 residents experience severe nuisance.

Lelystad Airport aims to maintain the livability for residents even after opening for commercial air traffic (holiday flights).

A monitoring and evaluation programme has been set up to continuously monitor and evaluate the health and liveability in the area around the airport.

Lelystad Airport, the province of Flevoland and the municipality of Lelystad have jointly established the Airport fund. They strive for sustainable development of the airport environment and want to achieve maximum economic spin-off and optimal liveability in the area. With the help of the fund, the parties involved jointly deploy resources for initiatives that enhance liveability, sustainability and economic networking at and in the immediate vicinity of Lelystad Airport.

In 2022, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management has set two conditions for making a decision about the future of Lelystad Airport with commercial air traffic (holiday flights):
1. obtaining the nature permit;
2. finding a solution for the approach route to Lelystad Airport near Lemelerveld.

The updated permit application for obtaining a nature permit was submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality on December 5, 2023.
After the ruling of the Council of State in 2019, which invalidated the Program Approach Nitrogen, Lelystad Airport has been in discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality regarding obtaining the required nature permit.

Ultimately, Lelystad Airport decided to acquire the necessary nitrogen rights/space through external balancing to obtain the required nature permit.

Additionally, Lelystad Airport decided to acquire this space for the situation with a maximum of 10,000 flight movements for holiday/leisure air traffic. The ambition is still to grow the activity to a maximum of 45,000 flight movements for holiday/leisure air traffic; a decision will only be requested once there is clarity on the legalization of the PAS notification submitted by Lelystad Airport in 2016 and 2019 and once the Airspace Restructuring Program has been completed.

The balancing task of Lelystad Airport is limited in scope and concerns the Natura 2000 areas Veluwe, Rijntakken, Naardermeer, and Oostelijke Vechtplassen. Lelystad Airport has purchased nitrogen space and not farms. Transactions have been made with parties intending to (partially) cease their activities. The acquired space is more than necessary for granting the permit to Lelystad Airport. The nitrogen space remaining after obtaining the nature permit will be provided to the provinces of Flevoland, Overijssel and Gelderland at no cost, so they can assist, for example, PAS notifiers. Lelystad Airport has farm businesses as neighbors and understands their desire to be licensed quickly. If we can contribute to that, we are happy to do so.

The permit process is not dependent on political decision-making or cabinet formation. It is not yet known when the permit will be granted.

Lelystad Airport Businesspark (LAB) is a dynamic place where innovation and sustainability are central, and where entrepreneurs literally have the space to do business. Due to its optimal accessibility and central location, Lelystad Airport Businesspark is a gateway to Europe and the rest of the world.

In recent years, significant construction has taken place at Lelystad Airport.

The control tower

The control tower has been raised so that larger (narrow-body) aircraft, under the guidance of air traffic controllers, can take off and land safely. Safety is paramount, so it is essential for Air Traffic Control to have excellent visibility over the entire airport, both on the ground and in the air. Air traffic controllers are the eyes and ears of the pilots in the cockpit. They guide aircraft from the control tower in the airspace and on the airport.

This way, they keep the runway clear for aircraft on the ground, ensuring safe landings, and direct aircraft in the right direction. The unique aspect of the control tower at Lelystad Airport is that the structure of the original control tower was preserved during the renovation.

The dome of the tower was temporarily removed, and three floors were added to the existing tower. This provided a sustainable solution for raising the tower. The distinctive red and white tower was put back into operation in July 2018. During the renovation, a mobile control tower was used.

The passenger terminal

The passenger terminal is the airport’s calling card. Spectacular simplicity; with minimal resources, a maximum effect has been achieved. The design fits into the polder landscape and is in the spirit of engineer Lely.

The passenger terminal is the place you enter when you are about to start your vacation. It is where your family and friends wave you off or welcome you back. Lelystad Airport becomes a ‘self-service airport’. As a passenger, you quickly go through a straightforward process. From the plaza, you can already see the airplanes parked. It is a place where you feel comfortable and have a beautiful view of our runway.

The passenger terminal has an area of 12,000 m2, square meters, with 7,000 m2 as a passenger waiting area and 1,200 m2 reserved for shops and restaurants. Additionally, 3,000 m2 is designated for baggage handling, and 800 m2 is used for offices.

The passenger terminal meets the highest standards of sustainable construction. For example, the departure and arrival hall (plaza) of the airport is a climate-neutral space. Therefore, Lelystad Airport is the first airport in Europe to receive the internationally renowned LEED-Gold certificate for a sustainable terminal.

Runway

The runway has been extended and widened, and parking positions for four aircraft have been constructed. With the arrival of large (narrow-body) aircraft (with a maximum wingspan of 36 meters), a longer and wider runway is necessary.

A new (taxi) runway has been built so that aircraft can move to and from the terminal (3,300 meters).

There are 4 aircraft parking positions for operations up to 10,000 flight movements per year for holiday/leisure air traffic. These are the platforms where the aircraft are parked and prepared for departure.

The runway is equipped with LED lighting.
Infrastructure

To manage future passenger flows effectively, the province of Flevoland and the municipality of Lelystad have ensured optimal accessibility. The connection to the A6 has been significantly improved, and there is a direct (electric) bus connection from Lelystad station to and from Lelystad Airport.

In front of the passenger terminal, there is a spacious parking area. If you need to drop someone off, there is a kiss & ride zone in front of the passenger terminal. There is also space for bus stops in front of the passenger terminal and taxi stands.There will be a fast and electric bus connection to Lelystad Central Station, allowing you to travel from the station to the passenger terminal within 15 minutes.

Innovation

Sustainability and innovation are at the forefront of the development of Lelystad Airport. Together with market parties, we have considered how to build the most sustainable airport.

When extending the runway, the ground was not excavated. A new layer of sand was added to the soil, mixed with the existing ground. By adding a lime mixture, the same firmness was achieved as in the traditional way. This approach saved 10,000 truck trips and reduced CO2 emissions by 500 tons.

Lelystad Airport will become a fully self-service airport, with advanced state-of-the-art systems that align with the mobile, digital world. Passengers can check-in at home and drop off their luggage independently. Additional luggage is paid for and checked in by passengers themselves.

Self-driving baggage carts will also be introduced in the baggage hall to transport your suitcase from the belt to the correct aircraft. Robots will be moving around Lelystad Airport.

The ‘just in time’ system that informs passengers when they can depart to the gate enhances passenger convenience.
Natural energy and ventilation are optimally utilized to create a pleasant indoor climate. The passenger terminal is an energy-efficient building with a smart, compact climate system that adapts to changing conditions and people’s movements.

The terminal is certified at the LEED-Gold level, making it one of the most sustainable terminals in the world.

There are no night flights because Lelystad Airport is closed at night. There are also no cargo flights.

Sustainable aviation

Lelystad Airport participates in various sustainability projects and initiatives both on and around the airport, with a focus on electric and hydrogen-powered aviation.

One of the first charging stations for electric aircraft is located at Lelystad Airport.

Passenger terminal

Optimum use is made of natural energy and ventilation to create a pleasant indoor climate. The passenger terminal is an energy-efficient building with a smart, compact climate system that adapts to changing conditions and people’s movements. The terminal is gas-free, uses gray water and has solar panels.

The terminal is certified at the LEED-Gold level, making it measurably one of the most sustainable terminals in the world.

Lelystad Airport will be a fully self-service airport, with advanced state-of-the-art systems that connect to the mobile, digital world. Passengers will be able to check-in for a flight at home and drop off their baggage themselves. Additional baggage is also paid for and checked in by passengers themselves.

Self-driving baggage carts will also be introduced in the baggage hall to transport your suitcase from the conveyor belt to the correct aircraft. Robots will be moving around at Lelystad Airport.

The ‘just in time’ system that informs passengers when they can depart to the gate enhances passenger travel convenience.

Electric cars and buses

In collaboration with the Province of Flevoland, electric buses run directly from Lelystad Centrum station to the airport in twelve minutes.

The operational service’s fleet is fully electrically powered.

ROC Flevoland will play an important role in the passenger terminal. The educational programme and class schedule are integrated into the flight schedule. Students are given various active roles in practice, such as in security, hospitality, baggage.

With the arrival of commercial air traffic (holiday flights) at Lelystad Airport, there is a need for personnel for passenger assistance, security, customs, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refueling, air traffic control, cleaning, and catering. There is also a need for an expansion of staff functions.

Lelystad Airport is the busiest General Aviation airport in the Netherlands with approximately 80,000 aircraft movements per year. In terms of flight movements, Lelystad Airport is the second-busiest airport in the Netherlands.