Infrastructure minister Barry Madlener has told current affairs show Nieuwsuur he hopes to be able to open Lelystad Airport for holiday flights next year.

Madlener, a minister on behalf of the far-right PVV, said it would be a waste of money if the airport is not opened. “A lot has been invested and it would be a real crime if all that investment had been done for nothing,” he said. “So I hope it can open.”

His comments are notable because a majority of MPs oppose the plan but Schiphol is keen to see it open as an overspill hub for charter flights.

The cabinet is due to take a final decision in 2025, according to the coalition agreement.

Vote

In January, a majority of MPs voted in favour of a motion to stop Lelystad airport opening to commercial traffic, but the far-right PVV and the VVD were in favour.

Opponents say that climate issues, public health and the nitrogen issue mean it is no longer responsible to open a new civilian airport at such a location. The airport is currently used by private jets and a flying school.

The plan was developed to relieve pressure on Schiphol when it was approaching its maximum capacity. Over the years support for the plan has ebbed away, but the government continued to invest in preparing the location for holiday flights. In total, some €250 million has been put into the project, which would have served 68 flights a day, according to the Telegraaf.

The government had hoped to open Lelystad to holiday traffic in 2020 and so allow Schiphol to focus on more lucrative intercontinental flights, but that was delayed by a variety of problems, not least of which was approval from Brussels.

In addition, in 2019 it emerged that the noise calculations for local residents were wrong and that people will suffer far more aircraft nuisance than expected.

Many charter airlines too were opposed to being forcibly moved to Lelystad, which is without a direct link to Schiphol or a train connection.