Overview
- Four F-35s conducted daytime takeoffs and landings at Schiphol on January 26–27 alongside a transport and a tanker aircraft to rehearse wartime logistics and refuelling roles.
- Schiphol and Defence scheduled the activity outside peak hours and kept military movements separated, with the airport still handling roughly 1,100 flights, 135,000 passengers and 2,200 tons of cargo.
- Authorities warned of short-lived noise that was audible in areas including Leiden, Alphen aan den Rijn and the Bollenstreek, and said the disruption would be temporary.
- Lelystad Airport remains designated as a possible F-35 home base with plans on public display and responses accepted until March 2, as residents voice concerns about the polder’s strategic vulnerability.
- Defence says those risks were weighed and calls Lelystad the least bad option pending a final decision later this year, while also planning more frequent military use of Groningen Airport Eelde under largely agreed co-use arrangements.