Lelystad Airport expansion for F-35s requires farm and business relocations

The expansion of Lelystad Airport to accommodate F-35 fighter jets will require the relocation of four farms and six other businesses. The required land area has increased from an initial estimate of 150 hectares to 240 hectares. Of this, 40 hectares are designated for lengthening runways, while the remainder will be used for supporting facilities.

The affected non-agricultural entities include a racing circuit, police academy runways, RDW facilities, a model racing club, and a paving company. State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk stated that the additional space is necessary for increased training and maintenance requirements for the F-35 fleet. The Ministry of Defence has pledged to provide personal guidance, relocation assistance, or financial compensation to those impacted.

Local authorities have responded with specific conditions. The municipality of Lelystad has called for ‘generous compensation’ for those affected by land use and noise pollution. Meanwhile, the province has maintained that the arrival of F-35s should only proceed in conjunction with opening the airport to commercial passenger flights.