The Hague's Airport: Does It Exist?

The Hague, the administrative and royal capital of the Netherlands, is served by the Rotterdam The Hague Airport, formerly known as Rotterdam Airport. It is located 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) north-northwest of Rotterdam and 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) southeast of The Hague. The airport is among the busiest in the Netherlands, handling over 2.1 million passengers in 2019. It offers flights to more than 50 destinations in Europe and Morocco, with several large international airlines operating scheduled flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is 25km from The Hague

Rotterdam The Hague Airport, formerly known as Rotterdam Airport and Vliegveld Zestienhoven in Dutch, is located 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) north-northwest of Rotterdam, in South Holland. This equates to approximately 25km from The Hague, the administrative and royal capital of the Netherlands. Serving as a minor international airport for both Rotterdam and The Hague, it is the third busiest airport in the country.

The airport's construction began in August 1955, and it officially opened in October 1956. Initially, several large international airlines operated from the airport, including Swissair, Lufthansa, and Air France. However, in the 1970s, plans to either close or relocate the airport to make way for housing threatened its existence. This uncertainty caused a decline in the airport's growth and the departure of several operators.

Despite these challenges, the airport survived, and its fortunes changed with the economic growth of the 1990s, which brought an increase in passenger numbers. In 2001, it was decided that the airport would remain at its current location for at least a century. The airport experienced significant growth in the 2010s, and in 2010, its name was changed to Rotterdam The Hague Airport to reflect its service to both cities.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport now handles a significant number of passengers and offers scheduled flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations. It is also used extensively by general aviation, with several flying clubs, a skydiving club, and a flight training school based there. State and military aircraft frequently use the airport due to its proximity to The Hague, which is home to the Dutch government and international institutions such as the International Criminal Court.

The airport is the third busiest in the Netherlands

The Hague is served by the Rotterdam The Hague Airport, formerly known as Rotterdam Airport. It is located 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) north-northwest of Rotterdam and 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) southeast of The Hague. It is the third busiest airport in the Netherlands, handling over 2.1 million passengers in 2019. The airport offers scheduled flights to more than 50 destinations in Europe and Morocco, primarily serving smaller mainline jets such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series or the Embraer 190. The airport also caters to business aviation and is frequently used by state and military aircraft due to its proximity to The Hague, the administrative and royal capital of the Netherlands.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport has a range of facilities for passengers, including a self-service buffet/bar in the departures area and an eatery in the public hall. The airport also features an espresso bar, a sandwich kiosk, and an outdoor terrace bar. The Rotterdam Airport Shop in the departures lounge offers duty-free items, while a newsagent in the public hall sells books and magazines. Left-luggage lockers and trolleys are also available for passenger convenience. Additionally, the airport provides a fully equipped baby care room and an airport lounge, ensuring a comfortable experience for families and business travellers alike.

The airport's convenient location and transport connections make it easily accessible from The Hague. Public transport links include the metro line E to Slinge, followed by bus 33, which provides a direct connection to the airport. Alternatively, passengers can take the Airport Shuttle 50 to RandstadRail Metro Station, connecting to both The Hague and Rotterdam city centres. The airport shuttle bus also connects to Rotterdam Central Station, with a journey time of 20 minutes and a fare of €3.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport has a rich history, with construction beginning in August 1955 and the official opening taking place in October 1956. Initially, several large international airlines operated from the airport. However, in the 1970s, plans to close or relocate the airport threatened its existence, causing a decline in its growth. Despite these challenges, the airport persevered, and with the economic growth of the 1990s, it experienced an increase in passenger numbers once again. In 2010, the airport's name was officially changed to Rotterdam The Hague Airport, reflecting its service to both cities.

It offers flights to 50+ European and Moroccan destinations

The Hague is served by several airports in the Netherlands, including Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht Aachen Airport.

Of these airports, Rotterdam The Hague Airport is the closest to The Hague, located 25 km (15.5 miles) southeast of the city. The airport offers flights to more than 50 destinations in Europe and Morocco. These include major European cities such as London, as well as leisure destinations. Most flights from Rotterdam The Hague Airport are operated by smaller mainline jets such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series or the Embraer 190. The airport also handles a significant amount of business and state aviation, as well as skydiving and flight training activities.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, located in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, is another option for those travelling to or from The Hague. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe and offers a wide range of flight options. Schiphol is easily accessible from The Hague, with a direct train connection taking only 30 minutes. The airport serves as a hub for several local and international airlines, including KLM, Corendon Dutch Airlines, Martinair, and EasyJet.

Groningen Airport Eelde, located in the north-east of the Netherlands, also offers budget-friendly flights to various European destinations. Eindhoven Airport, the second-largest airport in the Netherlands, is a bit further from The Hague but still accessible by train or bus. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Transavia are among the budget airlines operating from this airport. Maastricht Aachen Airport, located in the south of the Netherlands, serves the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion and offers flights operated by Corendon, Ryanair, and Enter Air.

The airport shuttle bus to The Hague takes 20 minutes

The Hague does have an airport, although it is also known as Rotterdam The Hague Airport. The airport is located 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) north-northwest of Rotterdam and 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) southeast of The Hague. It is accessible from The Hague via the A13 southbound, which leads directly to the airport complex.

In addition to the shuttle bus, there are other transport options available. For example, the Nightnet RET bus 12 also provides a connection to the airport, although it may take slightly longer than 20 minutes. Furthermore, the Airport Shuttle 50 runs to the RandstadRail Metro Station, which offers connections to both The Hague and Rotterdam city centres.

The airport itself offers a range of facilities for travellers, including a self-service buffet/bar in the departures area and an eatery in the public hall. There is also an espresso bar, a sandwich kiosk, and an outdoor terrace bar. Various shops, including duty-free options, are available for passengers, along with left-luggage lockers and trolleys.

Facilities include a self-service buffet, a newsagent, and a baby care room

The Hague is served by the Rotterdam The Hague Airport, formerly known as Rotterdam Airport. The airport is located 6km northwest of Rotterdam and 25km southeast of The Hague. It is among the busiest airports in the Netherlands, serving as a minor international airport for Rotterdam and The Hague.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport offers a range of facilities to cater to the needs of travellers. One notable facility is the self-service buffet, where passengers can help themselves to a variety of food options before their flight. This buffet area often doubles up as a self-service bar, offering a selection of beverages. For those who prefer a more traditional dining experience, there is also an eatery located in the public hall of the airport.

For last-minute shopping or reading material, the airport features a newsagent located in the public hall. Here, passengers can browse a range of books, magazines, and other items while waiting for their flight. This can be a convenient option for picking up snacks, magazines, or any essential items they may need during their travels.

In addition, the airport also has a baby care room, ensuring that travelling parents have a dedicated space to attend to their little ones' needs. This room is fully equipped with the necessary amenities to provide a comfortable and clean environment for baby care. It is located within easy access of the other facilities in the airport.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport also provides various other facilities and services, including an espresso bar, a sandwich kiosk, an outdoor terrace bar, and duty-free shopping. The airport aims to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers and provide a convenient and enjoyable travel experience.

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