Study into further development of Airport Campus at Groningen Airport Eelde completed, call for parties to join
Housing advisor Draaijer has conducted a study into the further development of the Airport Campus on behalf of Groningen Airport Eelde. The study, completed in February 2026, shows that there is a need for further growth and professionalisation of the campus, with a clear role for cooperation between aviation, business, education and government. The study was funded by the Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (SNN) and co-funded by the European Union, as part of the Just Transition Fund. Groningen Airport Eelde is calling on companies that want to participate in the Airport Campus to come forward for the next phase.
Groningen Airport Eelde already offers a unique educational environment at the airport through the Airport Campus, where theory and practice come together in the dynamics of daily flight operations. Meiltje de Groot, Managing Director of Groningen Airport Eelde, says: “The Airport Campus is a logical next step in our role as social infrastructure and as a place where talent and innovation come together. We are looking for partners who want to work with us to build concrete training programmes, facilities and projects that make the aviation sector future-proof.”
Education at the airport
The KLM Flight Academy has been based at Groningen Airport Eelde since 1954 and accommodates 140 students on the Airport Campus. Since 2022, Noorderpoort has provided the senior secondary vocational programme Air Cabin Crew, Travel and Tourism at the Airport Campus. From 2025 onwards, this programme has been fully based at the airport, with students participating in daily operations.From September 2026, Noorderpoort’s new Drone Operator Specialist programme will also be based at the airport, and the intended launch of the Aircraft Maintenance programme is planned. Discussions are also taking place about a security training programme.
Stakeholder needs
Jan-Joost Flim, Director of Draaijer, says: “The needs among stakeholders are clear. With a recognisable heart for meeting and collaboration, complemented by space for education, innovation and testing, the Airport Campus can develop into a strong location for sustainable aviation and new economic activity in the region.” For companies, this is an ideal place to develop new activities, train talent and work with education on innovations that fit the transition taking place in the sector.
Organic growth
Groningen Airport Eelde is focusing on organic growth, with both existing and new partners, and is explicitly inviting the business community to take part. Companies that see opportunities for cooperation, establishment or innovation projects can contact airportcampus@gae.nl. This includes, for example, projects related to the use of hydrogen in aviation or initiatives to train talent. Companies can join and contribute to the concrete elaboration and financing opportunities. This will take place in connection with campus organisations such as Campus Coalitie.
