Groningen Airport Eelde

A delightful small airport with nearby parking area. A true pleasure for the unapologetic traveler. A tumultuous history (we'll tell you a bit more about it) with a succession of changes in shareholders, but not long ago, news came that new destinations will be added from our fine airport.

Increase in flights

In 2023, the northern airport would have had about 20,000 more passengers than in 2022. Director Meiltje de Groot (read more) https://www.rtvdrenthe.nl/nieuws/16257927/vliegvelddirecteur-vliegen-in-trek-passagiers-nog-net-niet-op-de-vleugels) has ambitions to significantly increase the number of passengers. The first step towards those figures is adding two new destinations. Due to the crowding at Schiphol and negative publicity about it, travelers are increasingly looking for smaller airports.

Destinations

From April to November 2024, flights can now also be taken from Eelde to Alanya in Turkey and Kos in Greece. Additionally, Las Palmas and Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Burgas (Bulgaria), Heraklion (Greece), and Guernsey (Channel Islands) remain on the menu. There may be a few more destinations added.

A dream come true

Flying myself was never my dream, but with my husband at the controls, I dared. We got the chance to have a flying lesson from the highly experienced pilot Egbert, which gave us beautiful views of the city of Groningen.

Background

Groningen Airport Eelde, also known as Eelde Airport, is a civilian airport in the municipality of Tynaarlo, Drenthe, near Eelde. It is the fifth-largest airport in the Netherlands, located approximately 10 kilometers south of Groningen. The history of the airport dates back to the 1920s when plans were made for its construction. The airport was officially opened in 1931 and has undergone various developments since then, including military occupation during World War II and later expansions, such as a runway extension.

Flying lesson

Flying myself was never my dream, but with my husband at the controls and our son with us, I dared to try it at the Noord Nederlandse Aero Club. We had the opportunity to get a flying lesson from the highly experienced pilot Egbert, which gave us beautiful views of the city of Groningen. I must admit, I found it quite exciting. There was a maximum weight limit for the Piper we flew, and I hadn't stepped on a scale in years.

More flying ladies

Would you like to try a flying lesson yourself or even get your own pilot's license? There are many possibilities. You can even store an aircraft in the hangar of the flying club. The members built the hangars and clubhouse with their own hands. However, there are still more male members than female, so perhaps this message is an invitation for women to join! As for me, I'll stick to flying in my dreams!