Dutch government closes Eindhoven AB

[Piet Luijken]

and what about the european transport hub at Eindhoven? any news there?

and taking all dutch cargo and passengers first to Brussels for their flights will make sense?

[aviodromefriend]

and what about the european transport hub at Eindhoven? any news there?

Only the command there, no need to have actual aircraft for that.

and taking all dutch cargo and passengers first to Brussels for their flights will make sense?

Taking into account a lot of people from that region do that already for their holidays, probably yes. (Or maybe ferry an aircraft from Brussels to a base/field close to the spot they are at, or use an aircraft that is close to such a field at that time?)

[PH-BRAD]

Where will they put the Gulf and F50's? I don't think they also put these aircraft at Melsbroek?

[aviodromefriend]

Where will they put the Gulf and F50's? I don't think they also put these aircraft at Melsbroek?

Fokker 50s are to be phased out as part of the last round of cuts under "Balkenende". The Gulf is well known for its absence at all in these cuts, making its fate unsure.

[PH-BRAD]

Is there a chance they'll put the V-II at Amsterdam or Rotterdam or is it more likely that they put it at Volkel, Gilze or Leeuwarden?

[Thijs]

and taking all dutch cargo and passengers first to Brussels for their flights will make sense?

They can still use the platform at the north side of the base, just as they do nowadays with all the IL-76 flights. They know in advance when a flight is coming in / departs, so they can anticipate on it. It is not in the vicinity of the civil activities. It is large enough, there is some space to store equipment. The military base of Oirschot can also be used to make the cargo ready for its flight or storage when waiting for support. So there will be some sort of detachment at Eindhoven which is only active when a cargo flight is there.

[K-9]

And i assume it has also been agreed by the local government and others like Eindhoven Airport etc ?
If Eindhoven closes, they need to make some investments...
But the Belgians are talking for years to move the 15th Wg away from Melsbroek, isn't it ?
Than all this wouldn't make much sense, to my opinion.

Better move it to Woensdrecht or Volkel ...

[Ramon Berk]

Unbelievable.... Our air force will disappear very fast with all those defense cuts.

Ramon Berk
http://www.berkaviation.com

[tobrin]

But the Belgians are talking for years to move the 15th Wg away from Melsbroek, isn't it ?

Yes there is a dissussion going on for years. Rumours en talking, no serious plans in the (near) future.

[Propwash]

As the end of Belgium is nearby , they better start negotiating with the Flemish Government

[Henk Voortwijs]

http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nl-NL/Ar ... ar_Brussel

[Thermal]

And i assume it has also been agreed by the local government and others like Eindhoven Airport etc ?
If Eindhoven closes, they need to make some investments...

They already did, they are building a new terminal and hotel worth some 26 million euros to be able to serve more passengers. Last year some 2,14 million pax used Eindhoven, in 2005 this was 900.000 pax.

Dutch DoD will offer Eindhoven Airbase to the shareholders of Eindhoven Airport.

With the disappearance of all the defense movements a lot more (enviromental) opportunities (read; slots) will open up for civil flights which will also attract investors. Don't forget that Ryanair is still very interested in making Eindhoven one of their bases. Especially now since they are not very keen on Weeze anymore. This would increase the number of RYR flights considerably. Also Wizz Air and Transavia are seriously thinking about opening a base at Eindhoven. Also attracting more investors.

Don't look at it as a spotter but look at it from an economical point of view. Let's face it; Eindhoven does not need the KLu anymore to have an existing right. The KLU recognizes this, so moving everything together at Melsbroek as a sort of Benelux Air Force is pretty clever move. And local defense personnel (of whom a lot will be losing their job anyway) now working at Eindhoven can possibly switch to civil operators.

[Hawk1]

Smart move! The Belgian Navy practicaly operates our of Den Helder so why should we not operate some planes out of Melsbroek? Eindhoven can grow as a commercial airport now , great for the economy!