Eindhoven Airport satisfied with draft decision on nature conservation permit

The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality intends to grant Eindhoven Airport a permit under the Nature Protection Act. This is necessary for civilian use of the airport. According to the Ministry, the activities of Eindhoven Airport for which the permit has been requested will not affect the natural characteristics of the relevant Natura 2000 areas. The Ministry therefore considers the activities of Eindhoven Airport to be permissible. This is what the Ministry writes in its draft decision that was published yesterday in the Government Gazette.

Eindhoven Airport is pleased with the Ministry of LNV's intention. Roel Hellemons, Managing Director of Eindhoven Airport: "The Ministry considers our activities permissible. This is a good starting point for continuing to build on the development of the airport in harmony with the environment and other parties involved.

"The airport submitted an application for a nature permit on October 1 based on the use of the airport in accordance with the 2014 Airport Decree. In it, a maximum of 43,000 aircraft movements per calendar year are allowed at Eindhoven Airport. The now published draft permit is in line with this application. LNV indicated earlier that Eindhoven Airport requires a permit under the Nature Protection Act.

The Minister of LNV decided in April 2020, following an enforcement request against the absence of the permit, that the airport had to apply for the permit by 1 October.