Weeze Airport
{{Short description|Airport in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany}}
{{for|the previous military use of this facility|RAF Laarbruch}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Weeze Airport
| nativename = {{lang|de|Flughafen Weeze/Niederrhein}}
| nativename-a =
| nativename-r =
| image = Airport Weeze Logo.svg
| image-width = 100
| image2 = Aerial image of the Niederrhein airport.jpg
| image2-width = 250
| caption =
| IATA = NRN
| ICAO = EDLV
| coordinates = {{Coord|51|36|09|N|006|08|32|E|region:DE-NW_type:airport|display=inline,title|name=Weeze Airport}}
| pushpin_map = Germany North Rhine-Westphalia#Germany
| pushpin_label = NRN/EDLV
| type = Public
| owner =
| operating_base = Ryanair
| operator = Flughafen Niederrhein GmbH
| city-served = Kreis Kleve and Nijmegen
| location = Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| opened = {{start date and age|2003|05||df=yes}}
| elevation-f = 106
| elevation-m = 32
| website = {{URL|www.airport-weeze.com}}
| metric-rwy = Y
| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-length-f = 8,005
| r1-length-m = 2,440
| r1-surface = Asphalt concrete
| stat-year = 2022
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 1,036,882 {{increase}}+76,5%
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = {{0|0,0}}15,533 {{increase}}+68,6%
| stat3-header = Cargo (metric tons)
| stat3-data = {{0|0,000,00}}0 {{steady}}{{0|+0}}0,0%
| footnotes = Sources: Statistics at ADV{{cite web |url=https://www.adv.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/12.2022-ADV-Monatsstatistik.pdf |title=ADV Monthly Traffic Report 12/2022 |website=adv.aero |publisher=Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutscher Verkehrsflughäfen e.V. |date=2023-02-13 |accessdate=2023-02-17 |language=de |format=PDF; 919 KB}}
AIP at German air traffic control.{{cite web|url=https://aip.dfs.de/BasicIFR/pages/C00531.html|title=AIP VFR online|website=dfs.de|access-date=2023-02-21|publisher=DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH|language=en}}
}}
Weeze Airport {{airport codes|NRN|EDLV}}, less commonly known as Niederrhein Airport, is a minor international airport in the Lower Rhine region of Germany. It is used by Ryanair. The airport is situated {{convert|3.7|km|abbr=on}} southwest of the municipality of Weeze ({{IPA|de|ˈveːt͡sə}}) and {{convert|7|km|abbr=on}} northwest of Kevelaer, about {{convert|33|km|abbr=on}} southeast of the Dutch city of Nijmegen, and {{convert|48|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of the German city of Duisburg.
History
=Foundation and early years=
The airport uses the facilities of the former military airbase RAF Laarbruch, and began operating as a civilian airport in 2003. There is also a large fire department training facility on the airport grounds. Its IATA code is NRN because of its official name Flughafen Niederrhein.
The airport has had several different names in its history as a civilian airport. The operators originally wanted to name it after the city of Düsseldorf, but the significant distance of {{convert|83|km|abbr=on}} to that city, which already had two closer international airports (Düsseldorf Airport as well as Cologne Bonn Airport), resulted in the name being blocked by a court ruling in 2016 that such a description would be likely to mislead passengers.{{cite web|url=http://www.fvw.de/flughafen-weeze-darf-nicht-duesseldorf-heissen/393/43499/18126|title=Flughafen Weeze darf nicht Düsseldorf heißen|first=FVW Medien|last=GmbH|access-date=5 August 2016}} However, Ryanair still refers to it as "Düsseldorf-Weeze". Compared to Düsseldorf, the airport is actually closer to the Dutch cities of Venlo, Nijmegen and Arnhem, the German cities of Duisburg and Essen, and the immediate Weeze area.
Weeze was served by the short-lived, Dutch low-cost carrier V Bird, which opened a base here and operated flights to Berlin, Munich and several international destinations, from its inception in 2003 until bankruptcy in 2004. During this time, passenger numbers doubled from 200,000 to 400,000 within a year.[http://www.rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/kevelaer/vor-zehn-jahren-v-bird-befluegelt-airport-aid-1.3817886 rp-online.de - "10 years ago: V Bird gives wings to the airport"] {{in lang |de}} 15 November 2013. Between 2008 and 2013, this was one of Germany's fastest-growing airports.
=Development since 2010=
After peaking at nearly three million passengers in 2010, Weeze Airport began experiencing a steady decline in throughput, partially due to stiff competition from neighboring airports (Eindhoven and Dortmund airports). In February 2014, Ryanair announced the cancellation of 18 routes from Weeze for the 2014 summer season, citing a lack of aircraft.{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.de/ryanair-streicht-angebot-in-weeze-kraeftig-zusammen/31489|title=Ryanair streicht Angebot in Weeze kräftig zusammen|work=airliners.de|access-date=10 May 2015}}
In 2019, the airport faced severe financial difficulties due to a fall in passenger numbers by 30 percent over the previous year as a result of the cancellation of several Ryanair routes.[https://www.aerotelegraph.com/flughafen-weeze-in-akuter-geldnot aerotelegraph.com] {{in lang |de}} 15 November 2019. This was best exemplified by the cancellation of the London-Stansted route, which was one of the most popular destinations from Weeze airport for most of the 2000s and early 2010s.
After seeing passenger numbers collapse during the COVID-19 pandemic, Weeze Airport has seen a minor resurgence in popularity, thanks to Ryanair opening several new routes and many destinations becoming popular again. {{cite web|url=https://fliegerweb.com/de/news/Airliner/Flughafen+Weeze+pr%C3%A4sentiert+Winterflugplan-25124|title=Flughafen Weeze präsentiert Winterflugplan|work=airliners.de|access-date=7 December 2024}}
Facilities
Weeze Airport has one passenger terminal building with restaurants, shops, and check-in facilities. The apron, which is to the west of the terminal building, features nine aircraft stands for mid-sized aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800. As there are no jet bridges due to the location of the apron to the west side of the terminal building instead in front of it, bus-boarding is used for six stands. Only three stands are close enough to the terminal to be accessed on foot.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
Airlines and destinations
The following airlines operate regular scheduled and seasonal flights at Weeze Airport:{{cite web|url=https://airport-weeze.com/flights/flight-schedule/?lang=en|title=Flight schedule|website=airport-weeze.com|date=1 November 2021}}
{{Airport destination list
| Ryanair{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes}} | Agadir,{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Duesseldorf, Germany|date=August 2023|volume=25|issue=2|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=333-339}} Alicante, Asturias,{{cite web | url=https://www.lne.es/asturias/2022/06/22/asturias-tendra-rutas-internacionales-previstas-67545010.html | title=Asturias tendrá dos rutas internacionales más de las previstas (Y los billetes baratos ya están a la venta) | date=22 June 2022}} Bari, Castellón, Crotone,{{cite web|url=https://www.ilcrotonese.it/2024/11/14/aeroporto-crotone-da-marzo-ryanair-attivera-il-volo-per-dusseldorf/1707546/|language=it|title=Aeroporto Crotone, da marzo Ryanair attiva il volo per Düsseldorf|author=Redazione|date=2024|access-date=15 November 2024}} Edinburgh,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220726-fraug22gbie|title=Ryanair August 2022 UK / Ireland Network Adjustment - 24JUL22|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=26 July 2022|accessdate=31 March 2025|language=en}} Essaouira,{{cite web | url=https://aviation.direct/winter-2023-24-ryanair-legt-wieder-marokko-fluege-ab-wien-auf | title=Winter 2023/24: Ryanair legt wieder Marokko-Flüge ab Wien auf | date=24 August 2023 }} Faro, Fès, Fuerteventura, Girona,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250114-frns25gro|title=Ryanair Boosts CONNECT Route Development Forum Host Girona Network in NS25|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=14 January 2025|accessdate=1 February 2025|language=en-ca}} Málaga, Marrakesh, Nador, Olsztyn-Mazury,{{cite web | url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/3/airports/ryanair-opent-nog-2-routes-vanaf-grensluchthaven-weeze | title=Ryanair opent nog 2 routes vanaf grensluchthaven Weeze | date=6 December 2024 }} Oujda, Paphos,{{cite web | url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/3/airports/ryanair-opent-nog-2-routes-vanaf-grensluchthaven-weeze | title=Ryanair opent nog 2 routes vanaf grensluchthaven Weeze | date=6 December 2024 }} Palma de Mallorca, Rabat, Sarajevo,{{cite web|url=https://www.exyuaviation.com/2025/01/ryanair-to-launch-four-new-sarajevo.html|title=Ryanair unveils four new Sarajevo routes}} Seville,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025|language=en}} Tangier,https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/231218-frrkns24ma Tenerife–South,{{Cite journal|author=|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Tenerife, Canary Is.|date=February 2023|volume=24|issue=8|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=878-880}} Thessaloniki, Tirana,{{cite web | url=https://italiavola.com/2023/06/08/ryanair-sbarca-in-albania-attacco-frontale-a-wizz-air/ | title=Ryanair sbarca in Albania. Attacco frontale a Wizz Air | date=8 June 2023 }} Zagreb{{Cite web|url=https://www.exyuaviation.com/2024/10/ryanair-adds-over-100000-seats-on.html|title=Ryanair adds over 100.000 seats on Zagreb flights this winter|website=ExYUAviation}}
Seasonal: Ancona, Bergamo,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230516-frns23it|title=Ryanair May – Oct 2023 Italy Frequency Variations – 14MAY23|website=Aeroroutes}} Béziers, Cagliari, Chania, Corfu, Dubrovnik,{{cite web | url=https://gradtrebinje.com/ekskluzivno-ryanair-ce-dubrovnik-povezati-sa-17-odredista-prema-dublinu-becu-i-londonu-ce-letjeti-i-zimi/ | title=EKSKLUZIVNO! Ryanair će Dubrovnik povezati sa 17 odredišta, prema Dublinu, Beču i Londonu će letjeti i zimi | date=28 November 2023 }} Ibiza, Kos,{{cite web | url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240716-frns24 | title=Ryanair NS24 Network Additions Summary – 14JUL24 }} Pescara, Porto,{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230223-fropo|title=Ryanair NS23 Porto Frequency Variations – 19FEB23|website=Aeroroutes}} Pula, Reus, Rhodes,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230330-frns23|title=Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=30 March 2023|accessdate=30 March 2025|language=en}} Trapani,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/220531-frns22tps|title=Ryanair Expands Trapani Network in NS22|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=31 May 2022|accessdate=31 March 2025|language=en}} Zadar{{Cite web|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230207-fr320|title=Ryanair NS23 A320 Network Additions – 05FEB23|website=Aeroroutes}}
| {{nowrap|Sky Express}} | Seasonal charter: Heraklion,{{cite web|url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/3/airports/sunweb-nu-ook-vakantievluchten-vanaf-weeze-en-uitbreiding-op-brussels-airport|title=Sunweb: nu ook vakantievluchten vanaf Weeze en uitbreiding op Brussels Airport|website=luchtvaartnieuws.nl|date=14 December 2022}} Kos, Rhodes,{{Cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230202-gqnrn|title=Sky Express April 2023 Weeze Charter Operations|website=Aeroroutes.com|date=2 February 2023|accessdate=31 December 2024|language=en-ca}} Zakynthos
}}
Statistics
File:Direct flight destinations of Weeze Airport.svg
File:Weeze,_Flughafen_--_2016_--_2522-8.jpg
Ground transportation
=Coach=
Direct buses serve Düsseldorf Main Station up to 7 times a day, also covering early flight departures and late arrivals. The journey takes 1h 15min.{{Cite web |title=Airport Shuttle Weeze |url=https://www.airportweezeshuttle.com/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Airport Weeze Shuttle |language=en}} Airexpressbus offered from June 2007 until spring 2017 a service between Weeze Airport and Amsterdam with stops at Eindhoven Airport, Utrecht and 's-Hertogenbosch.{{Cite news|url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/3/airports/airexpressbus-opent-busverbinding-van-amsterdam-naar-airport-weeze|title=AirExpressBus opent busverbinding van Amsterdam naar Airport Weeze|last=redactie|first=Onze|date=2007-05-09|work=Luchtvaartnieuws|access-date=2017-10-11|language=nl-NL}}
=Train=
Bus shuttles serve the railway stations of Weeze, Kevelaer and Goch on a frequent basis. Travellers for Düsseldorf Main Station will need to catch a bus or taxi to either Weeze or Kevelaer railway stations.{{cn|date=January 2025}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Flughafen Niederrhein}}
- [http://www.airport-weeze.de/index.php?lang=en Official website]
- {{NWS-current|EDLV}}
- {{ASN|NRN}}
{{Portalbar|Germany|Aviation}}
{{Airports in Germany}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Kleve (district)