The partly renovated platform of Den Helder Airport, the Netherlands, was officially reopened today, after extensive work to make it better equipped for passenger transport to European offshore cities and wind farms in the North Sea.
Conny van den Hoff, Director of Den Helder Airport , said: “Thanks to renovation of the platform, over the next few years we will be better able to serve new growth markets, thereby considerably strengthening our position as the international centre for offshore activities in the North Sea.
“We aim to become the economic powerhouse for the entire region, and have announced the ambition of doubling the number of jobs on offer, over the next few years. In other words, our focus is clearly aimed at future opportunities.”
Over the next few years, Den Helder Airport aims to attract new markets.
Thanks to a recently announced permit, the airport can continue to grow to 27,000 aircraft movements per year. The airport is currently in negotiation with a number of interested providers of scheduled flight services. Scheduled and charter services (maximum capacity approx. 30 people), for example for the transport of offshore personnel from the Netherlands and abroad, including a scheduled service to Aberdeen in Scotland and Esbjerg in Denmark, are on the cards.
Because of its ideal location in respect of the Southern North Sea and close collaboration with the sea and offshore Port of Den Helder, Den Helder Airport also aims to focus on helicopter transport for maintenance personnel to the ever growing number of wind farms in the North Sea.
The extensive renovation of the three oldest aircraft hard standings, undertaken by Ballast Nedam, lasted for a month and a half. The old asphalt was recycled, and reused in a durable, low-maintenance platform. The renovated surface now consists of seamless, non-permeable concrete, surrounded by new asphalt. Following the renovation, the entire platform was completed with new marker lines, so the airport once again meets the latest requirements.
Image: CHC Helicopters Netherlands