MPs from the two coalition parties on Thursday backed the government’s decision to expand Lelystad airport, giving the plan a slim majority.

Pilots, airline KLM and locals are all opposed to the government’s wish to see 45,000 take-offs and landings a year at the airport by 2018.

They say it is unnecessary and likely to have a detrimental effect on Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, which owns Lelystad. Locals are also unhappy about the noise implications.

Opposition parties are also against the move, meaning it is unlikely to win majority support in the upper house of parliament.