Den Helder Airport (DHA) is a critical offshore aviation hub supporting the Dutch energy transition, connecting the Netherlands with the vital infrastructure in the North Sea. DHA’s future is currently threatened by an increase in the charges for DHA’s shared use of Maritime Airbase De Kooy proposed by the Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency. This increase would triple operating costs, while revenues drop significantly due to accelerated government policies phasing out offshore oil and gas. In addition to that, offshore wind development has not yet scaled up to fill the gap, creating a financial strain.
This charge increase disrupts the European level playing field, making offshore flights from the Netherlands significantly more expensive than those from neighboring countries. This disparity risks shifting Dutch offshore operations to foreign bases, undermining Dutch control and efficiency in offshore logistics.
We call on the government to recognize DHA serves the public interest and to enable DHA to operate sustainably, and we urge all stakeholders to show their support. DHA is a vital part of the Dutch energy infrastructure, essential for an efficient, safe, and sustainable transition to renewable energy.
Urgent request to all Stakeholders: Sign and support the preservation of DHA as an indispensable link in Dutch offshore infrastructure and the energy transition.
