The Netherlands' Main Airports: A Comprehensive Guide

what is the airport in netherlands

The Netherlands has several international airports catering to millions of passengers each year. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, also known as Schiphol Airport, is the country's main international airport and one of the busiest airports in Europe. Other notable airports in the Netherlands include Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht Aachen Airport. Each of these airports offers convenient transportation options and serves as a hub for various airlines, connecting the Netherlands to numerous destinations worldwide.

Characteristics Values
Number of Civil Airports 5
Names of Civil Airports Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, Maastricht Aachen Airport
Main International Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Schiphol Airport Ranking in Europe by Passenger Traffic 3rd
Schiphol Airport Ranking in the World by Passenger Traffic 5th
Schiphol Airport Ranking in the World by Cargo Tonnage 16th
Number of Passengers at Schiphol Airport in 2019 71,706,999
Schiphol Airport Total Area 6,887 acres
Number of Runways at Schiphol Airport 6
Number of Departure Halls at Schiphol Airport 3
Number of Piers at Schiphol Airport 3
Eindhoven Airport Ranking in the Netherlands 2nd
Number of Passengers at Eindhoven Airport 6 million+
Number of Destinations from Eindhoven Airport 89
Groningen Airport Eelde Ranking in the Netherlands 3rd
Rotterdam The Hague Airport Ranking in the Netherlands 3rd

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Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam's main airport

Schiphol Airport is Amsterdam's main airport and one of Europe's biggest aviation hubs. It is located in the province of North Holland and the Haarlemmermeer municipality. It is one of only eleven airports worldwide that is below sea level. The runways are approximately 3m (9.8 ft) below Dutch Normaal Amsterdams Peil (NAP), and the airport itself is 1.4m (4.5 ft) below NAP.

Schiphol Airport, often just referred to as Schiphol, started as a military airport in 1916. It is technically located on the bottom of the drained Haarlemmer Lake near Amsterdam. Schiphol is the oldest airport in Europe to occupy the same location, although expansions have been made over the years.

In 2019, 70.5% of passengers using the airport flew to and from Europe, with the remaining passengers travelling to and from North America (10.6%) and Asia (10.1%). As of 2024, the airport handles over 66.8 million passengers annually.

The airport offers a range of facilities for travellers, including shopping, with luxury brands and local souvenirs available. It also provides clear guidelines on what is allowed in hand baggage, such as the rule that liquids must be in containers of no more than 100ml.

Travellers flying from Schiphol can easily visit Amsterdam, with the city just 17 minutes away by train or car.

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Rotterdam The Hague Airport, the third-largest airport

The Netherlands has more than one airport, including five civil airports: Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht Aachen Airport. Schiphol is one of Europe's biggest airports, but Rotterdam The Hague Airport is the third-largest airport in the country.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport, formerly known as Rotterdam Airport, is located between the two cities of Rotterdam and The Hague. It is one of the busiest airports in the Netherlands, handling over 2.1 million passengers in 2019. The airport offers scheduled flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations, with London City being its top destination, followed by Alicante, Malaga, and Faro.

The airport is easily accessible by car and public transport. It is connected to The Hague and Rotterdam city centres via the RandstadRail Metro Line E and bus services. The airport is also served by international car hire operators such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt, which have desks in the arrivals area of the transit hall.

Rotterdam The Hague Airport provides a variety of facilities for passengers, 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. The airport shop offers a wide range of products and duty-free items for passengers departing the EU. Additionally, there is a newsagent in the public hall, left-luggage lockers, and trolleys available for passengers' convenience.

The airport has a long history, with construction beginning in August 1955 and its official opening 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, and it faced the possibility of closure for almost thirty years. Fortunately, economic growth in the 1990s brought an increase in passenger numbers, securing the airport's future.

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Groningen Airport Eelde, a small international airport

The Netherlands has more than one airport, including Schiphol, one of Europe's biggest airports. However, Groningen Airport Eelde, a small international airport, is also one of the country's five civil airports. It is situated near Eelde, in the province of Drenthe, and is 4.8 nautical miles (or 8.9 kilometres) south of the city of Groningen.

The airport was founded under the name "Hakenkampsveld" in 1928 and was officially opened in 1931. In August of that year, the first scheduled service between Eelde and Amsterdam/Schiphol began. The airport's name was changed to "NV Luchthaven Eelde" in 1933. During World War II, the German military occupied the airport and expanded it considerably. After the war, the Dutch government restored it with subsidies.

In 1958, there were European destinations available from the airport, and in 1977, a new passenger terminal opened, along with more parking space for cars. In 1988, the airport's name changed for the second time to "Groningen Airport Eelde NV" to reflect its increasing international significance. This name change also coincided with the joining of the two existing passenger halls to create a larger departure hall capable of holding 200 passengers.

The airport has continued to develop its infrastructure, receiving funding for expansion projects, including a new passage hall and an extended runway, which was put into service in 2013. Various airlines have offered routes from Groningen Airport Eelde, including Ryanair, Flybe, and Nordica.

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Eindhoven Airport, the second-largest airport

The Netherlands is a small country with several airports. The country's five civil airports are Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht Aachen Airport. Schiphol is one of Europe's biggest airports.

Eindhoven Airport is the second-largest airport in the Netherlands. It is located 7.6 km west of Eindhoven in the province of North Brabant. The airport is owned by the Schiphol Group (51%), Noord-Brabant province (24.5%), and Eindhoven city (24.5%). Eindhoven Airport serves as an important transit hub, connecting the Brainport Eindhoven region to the rest of Europe. It offers flights to over 87 destinations, serving more than 6 million passengers annually.

The airport handles both civilian and military traffic and employs over 2,000 people. It has a single terminal with offices, restaurants, shops, and meeting rooms. Eindhoven Airport also features a cargo terminal and a single runway. The airport has been recognised for its sustainability efforts, achieving CO₂-neutral status.

In recent years, Eindhoven Airport has undergone significant development. A new terminal was constructed in 2013, and an expansion plan was announced in 2021, aiming to increase the terminal size from 27,300 square metres to 35,000 square metres. The airport also boasts a new multi-level parking facility called the P1 multi-purpose building, which includes a public transport terminal, commercial areas, and electric vehicle charging stations.

The airport has a range of passenger facilities, including an exchange office, lost property, luggage lockers, a baby changing area, a health centre, and various shops and restaurants. There is also a business lounge, the Aspire Lounge, which opened in 2019.

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Maastricht Aachen Airport

The history of Maastricht Aachen Airport dates back to the early 20th century, with plans for an airport in southern Limburg emerging as early as 1919. However, debates over its location and funding delayed the project. The airport's site has a historical significance, with authority over the area, then known as Beek airfield (vliegveld Beek), being transferred to the Dutch government in 1945. The first civilian aircraft landed at the airport in September 1945, operated by the Regeeringsvliegdienst, a government service that catered to government officials and individuals with urgent travel needs due to the war's impact on roads and railroads.

The airport has a diverse range of operations and tenants. It serves as a base for flight training, with the Stella Aviation Academy utilising its facilities. Maastricht Aachen Airport accommodates various airlines offering scheduled and charter flights. Additionally, it is home to the Jet Center, which provides handling services for general aviation aircraft, and Maas Aviation, which operates an aircraft painting facility that has expanded with the addition of a second paint shop hangar.

Frequently asked questions

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, often referred to as Schiphol Airport, is the main international airport of the Netherlands. It is one of the busiest airports in the world in terms of passenger traffic and is a hub for several major airlines.

Yes, the Netherlands has more than one airport. Some of the other civil airports in the country include Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde, Eindhoven Airport, and Maastricht Aachen Airport.

Schiphol Airport is known for being one of the world's lowest major commercial airports, with the entire airport located below sea level. It is also recognised for its efficient design, including colour-coded signage, and its wide range of shopping options.

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