Rotterdam The Hague Airport

{{Short description|Airport in Zestienhoven, Rotterdam, the Netherlands}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox airport | name = Rotterdam The Hague Airport | nativename = | nativename-a = | nativename-r = | image = RTM airport logo.svg | image-width = 200 | image2 = Vliegveld Zestienhoven.JPG | image2-width = 250 | IATA = RTM | ICAO = EHRD | type = Public | owner-oper = Schiphol Group | city-served = Rotterdam and The Hague | location = Zestienhoven, Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands | focus_city = {{bulletedlist|Transavia |TUI fly Netherlands}} | elevation-f = -14 | elevation-m = -4 | coordinates = {{coord|51|57|25|N|04|26|25|E|type:airport_region:NL| display=inline,title}} | website = [http://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/en rotterdamthehagueairport.nl] | pushpin_map = Netherlands Rotterdam#Netherlands South Holland#Netherlands#Europe | pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands | pushpin_label = '''RTM'''/EHRD | pushpin_label_position = top | r1-number = 06/24 | r1-length-f = 7,215 | r1-length-m = 2,199 | r1-surface = Asphalt | metric-rwy = yes | stat1-header = Passengers | stat1-data = 2,133,976 {{increase}} | stat-year = 2019 | footnotes = Sources: AIP,<ref name="AIP">{{AIP_NL|EHRD|name=ROTTERDAM/Rotterdam}}</ref> 2019 Annual Facts & Statistics Report (PDF, Dutch)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2020/01/Totaal-per-jaar-januari-2020.pdf |title=Annual Statistics 2010-2019 - Rotterdam The Hague Airport (PDF, Dutch) |access-date=26 March 2020 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210014741/https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2020/01/Totaal-per-jaar-januari-2020.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> | stat2-header = Freight (tonnes) | stat2-data = 1 {{decrease}} | stat3-header = Aircraft movements | stat3-data = 52,439 {{decrease}} }}

'''Rotterdam The Hague Airport''' (formerly ''Rotterdam Airport'', ''Vliegveld Zestienhoven'' in Dutch) {{Airport codes|RTM|EHRD}} is a minor international airport serving Rotterdam, the Netherlands' second largest city, and The Hague, its administrative and royal capital. It is located {{convert|5.5|km|mi nmi}} north northwest<ref name="AIP"/> of Rotterdam in South Holland and is the third busiest airport in the Netherlands.

The airport handled over 2.1 million passengers in 2019 and features scheduled flights to European metropolitan and leisure destinations. It is also used extensively by general aviation and there are several flying clubs, a skydiving club and a flight training school located at the airport.

==History== ===Early years=== After World War II, the Dutch government decided that a second national airport was needed in addition to Schiphol. Rotterdam had previously had an airport before the war; Waalhaven airport, but it was heavily damaged in the German bombing of Rotterdam, and was later completely destroyed to prevent it from being used by the Germans. Reconstruction of the airport was not a realistic proposition, so a new location was found in the ''Zestienhoven'' polder, giving the airport its original name.<ref name="Rotterdam The Hague Airport">{{Cite news|url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/en/corporation/us/history/|title=History - Rotterdam The Hague Airport|work=Rotterdam The Hague Airport|access-date=22 June 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192856/https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/en/corporation/us/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Construction of the airport began in August 1955 and the airport was officially opened in October 1956. Several large international airlines, such as Swissair, Lufthansa, Air France, Channel Airways, and British Air Ferries (Channel Air Bridge) were soon operating to Rotterdam. However, in the 1970s plans were made to either close or move the airport to make space for housing. Its uncertain future halted the airport's growth and led to many operators leaving.<ref name="Rotterdam The Hague Airport" />

===Development since the 1990s===

The route with the longest continual service, to London Heathrow and operated by KLM Cityhopper, was suspended in 2008. This marked the end of KLM's involvement with the airport. However, in December 2012, British Airways began a service to Rotterdam from Heathrow.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/ba-gears-up-for-new-short-haul-heathrow-services|title=BA gears up for new short-haul Heathrow services|work=Business Traveller|date=3 December 2012|access-date=14 June 2014}}</ref> In October 2014, British Airways announced they would suspend the route again in March 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonairtravel.com/2014/10/29/british-airways-suspends-london-heathrow-rotterdam-flights-from-28-march-2015/ |title=British Airways suspends London Heathrow – Rotterdam flights from 28 March 2015 |publisher=London Air Travel |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=14 December 2014}}</ref> British Airways now flies to Rotterdam from London City Airport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/destinations/europe/holland|title=Visit Holland {{!}} Flights {{!}} British Airways|website=www.britishairways.com|language=en-GB|access-date=22 June 2018}}</ref>

The name of the airport was changed from ''Zestienhoven'' to ''Rotterdam Airport'' and finally in 2010 to its current name ''Rotterdam The Hague Airport''.{{cn|date=April 2026}}

Most flights today are operated by smaller mainline jets such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series or the Embraer 190. There is also a fair amount of business aviation. State and military aircraft also use the airport frequently, due to its proximity to The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government and various international institutions such as the International Criminal Court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/airport/airport.php?id=RTM|title=Rotterdam Airport profile - Aviation Safety Network|last=Ranter|first=Harro|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=22 June 2018}}</ref> With the closure of nearby Ypenburg Airport in 1992 and Valkenburg Naval Air Base in 2006, Rotterdam The Hague Airport is now the only remaining airport in the area.{{cn|date=April 2026}}

==Airlines and destinations== <!--DO NOT ADD OR REMOVE ROUTES WITHOUT GIVING A VALID INDEPENDENT SOURCE. EXACT DATES ARE MANDATORY FOR NEW ROUTES TO BE ADDED HERE. ALSO ADD INLINE CITATIONS IF POSSIBLE.--> The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Rotterdam/The Hague:<ref>[https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/en/travelers/flights-2/find-book/ rotterdamthehagueairport.nl - Find & book] retrieved 14 November 2020</ref>

{{Airport-dest-list <!-- --> | Aegean Airlines | '''Seasonal:''' Athens (begins 3 September 2026)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/2/airlines/aegean-airlines-start-lijndienst-tussen-rotterdam-en-athene|title=Aegean Airlines start lijndienst tussen Rotterdam en Athene|trans-title=Aegean Airlines starts service between Rotterdam and Athens|language=Dutch|website=Luchtvaartnieuws|date=20 February 2026|access-date=20 February 2026}}</ref> <!-- --> | Air Algérie | Algiers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dzairdaily.com/une-nouvelle-ville-deurope-bientot-desservie-par-air-algerie/ |title=Une nouvelle ville d'Europe desservie par Air Algérie|publisher=Dzair Daily|date=31 August 2025|accessdate=31 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/2/airlines/air-algerie-niet-naar-schiphol-wel-naar-rotterdam-the-hague-airport|title=Air Algérie niet naar Schiphol, wel naar Rotterdam The Hague Airport |date=3 September 2025 }}</ref> <!-- --> | Air Arabia | Tangier<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Arabia To Launch New Direct Route Between Tangier, Rotterdam|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/09/260974/air-arabia-to-launch-new-direct-route-between-tangier-rotterdam|website=moroccoworldnews.com |date=29 September 2025 |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> <!-- --> | AJet | Istanbul–Sabiha Gökçen{{cn|date=April 2026}} <!-- --> | Animawings | Bucharest–Henri Coandă (begins 13 July 2026),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/2/airlines/roemeens-animawings-zet-koers-naar-rotterdam-the-hague-airport|title=Roemeens Animawings zet koers naar Rotterdam-The Hague Airport|trans-title=Romanian Animawings sets sail towards Rotterdam The Hague Airport|language=Dutch|website=Luchtvaartnieuws|date=29 April 2026|access-date=29 April 2026}}</ref> Timișoara (begins 15 July 2026)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/2/airlines/animawings-deze-zomer-ook-van-timisoara-naar-rotterdam|title=Animawings deze zomer ook van Timișoara naar Rotterdam|trans-title=Animawings this summer also from Timișoara to Rotterdam|language=Dutch|website=Luchtvaartnieuws|date=30 April 2026|access-date=30 April 2026}}</ref> <!-- --> | British Airways | London–City<ref>{{cite web | title=Transavia to launch Stansted-Rotterdam route | date=17 October 2024 | url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2024/10/17/transavia-to-launch-stansted-rotterdam-route/ }}</ref> <!-- --> | Pegasus Airlines | Istanbul–Sabiha Gökçen<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flypgs.com/en/route-map|title=Route Map|website=Pegasus Airlines|access-date=23 February 2026}}</ref>{{bsn|date=April 2026}} <!-- --> | Transavia | Al Hoceima,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Alicante,{{cn|date=April 2026}} Barcelona,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Faro,{{cn|date=April 2026}} Fez,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Gran Canaria,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Lisbon,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> London–Stansted,<ref name="Luchtvaartnieuws-2024">{{cite web|url=https://luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/3/airports/transavia-start-nieuwe-lijndiensten-vanaf-rotterdam-airport-en-concurreert-met-eurostar|title=Transavia start nieuwe lijndiensten vanaf Rotterdam Airport en concurreert met Eurostar|trans-title=Transavia starts new services from Rotterdam Airport and competes with Eurostar|language=Dutch|website=Luchtvaartnieuws|date=9 October 2024|access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref> Málaga{{cn|date=April 2026}} Nador,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Seville,{{cn|date=April 2026}} Tenerife–South,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Trieste,<ref name="Luchtvaartnieuws-2024" /> Valencia<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> <br/> '''Seasonal:''' Almería,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Bastia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/2/airlines/transavia-start-ticketverkoop-naar-nieuwe-zomerbestemmingen-2022|title=Transavia start ticketverkoop naar (nieuwe) zomerbestemmingen 2022|trans-title=Transavia starts ticketsales to new summer 2022 destinations|language=Dutch|website=Luchtvaartnieuws.nl|date=14 September 2021|access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> Bergerac,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Brindisi,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Catania,{{cn|date=April 2026}} Corfu,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Dubrovnik,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Geneva,<ref>{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Geneva, Switzerland|date=February 2023|volume=24|issue=8|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=318–323}}</ref> Girona,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Grenoble,<ref>{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Lyon, France|date=February 2023|volume=24|issue=8|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=511–514}}</ref> Heraklion,{{cn|date=April 2026}} Ibiza,{{cn|date=April 2026}} Innsbruck,<ref>{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Innsbruck, Austria|date=February 2023|volume=24|issue=8|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=389}}</ref> Kos,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Oujda (begins 2 July 2026)<ref>{{cite web|title=Transavia will fly from Rotterdam to Oujda this summer|url=https://news.transavia.com/en/transavia-will-fly-from-rotterdam-to-oujda-this-summer/|website=Transavia|access-date=13 February 2026}}</ref>, Palermo,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Palma de Mallorca,{{cn|date=April 2026}} Perugia,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Pula,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Rome–Fiumicino,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Salzburg,<ref>{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Salzburg, Austria|date=February 2023|volume=24|issue=8|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=772–773}}</ref> Split,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Tangier,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Toulon,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Zadar<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> <!-- --> | {{nowrap|TUI fly Netherlands}} | Fuerteventura,<ref name="OAG_World_Nov2023_900_901">{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Rotterdam|date=November 2023|volume=25|issue=5|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=900–901}}</ref> Gran Canaria,<ref name="OAG_World_Nov2023_900_901"/> Lanzarote,<ref name="OAG_World_Nov2023_900_901"/> Tenerife–South<ref name="OAG_World_Nov2023_900_901"/> <br/> '''Seasonal:''' Antalya,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923">{{Cite journal|author=<!-- not stated -->|journal=OAG Flight Guide Worldwide|title=Rotterdam, Netherlands|date=August 2023|volume=25|issue=2|publisher=OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited|publication-place=Luton, United Kingdom|issn=1466-8718|language=en|pages=922–923}}</ref> Heraklion,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Kittilä,<ref name="luchtvaartnieuws.nl">{{cite web | url=https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/3/airports/tui-fly-in-de-winter-van-rotterdam-airport-naar-egypte-en-lapland | title=TUI fly in de winter van Rotterdam Airport naar Egypte en Lapland | date=30 May 2022 }}</ref> Kos,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Kuusamo,<ref name="luchtvaartnieuws.nl"/> Rhodes,<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> Zakynthos<ref name="OAG_World_Aug2023_922_923"/> <!-- --> }}

==Statistics== [[File:OO-BIA DH114 Heron 1 Sabena RTM 10JAN68 (6812669405).jpg|thumb|A Sabena de Havilland Heron at the airport in 1968]] thumb|Terminal exterior thumb|Terminal interior ===Passenger numbers=== {| class="wikitable" width="60%" !Year !Passengers !Aircraft movements |- |2017 |1,774,976<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2018/01/Totaal-per-maand-2017.pdf|title=Rotterdam The Hague Airport fact & figures 2017|website=Rotterdam The Hague Airport|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=2 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302123751/https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2018/01/Totaal-per-maand-2017.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{increase}} |49,962 {{decrease}} |- |2018 | 1,943,733<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2019/01/Totaal-per-maand-2018.pdf|title=Rotterdam The Hague Airport fact & figures 2018|website=Rotterdam The Hague Airport|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-date=24 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024054925/https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2019/01/Totaal-per-maand-2018.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{increase}} |53,322 {{increase}} |- |2019 | 2,133,976<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2020/01/Totaal-per-jaar-januari-2020.pdf|title=Rotterdam The Hague Airport Annual facts & figures 2019|website=Rotterdam The Hague Airport|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=10 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210014741/https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/content/uploads/2020/01/Totaal-per-jaar-januari-2020.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{increase}} |52,439 {{decrease}} |- |2020<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/wp-content/uploads/Totaal-per-maand-2020Corr.pdf|title=Rotterdam The Hague Airport Annual facts & figures 2020|website=Rotterdam The Hague Airport}}</ref> | 497,078 {{decrease}} |38,653 {{decrease}} |- |2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/wp-content/uploads/Totaal-per-maand-2021-11.pdf|title=Rotterdam The Hague Airport Annual facts & figures 2021|website=Rotterdam The Hague Airport}}</ref> | 764,061 {{increase}} |46,139 {{increase}} |- |2022<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/wp-content/uploads/Totaal-per-maand-2022-8.pdf|title=Rotterdam The Hague Airport Annual facts & figures 2022|website=Rotterdam The Hague Airport}}</ref> | 2,133,708 {{increase}} |59,444 {{increase}} |- |2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overzicht van feiten en cijfers |url=https://www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/over-rtha/organisatie/feiten-en-cijfers/ |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=Rotterdam The Hague Airport |language=nl}}</ref> |2,224,276 {{increase}} |56,480 {{decrease}} |}

===Busiest routes=== {|class="wikitable sortable" width= align= |+ Busiest routes from Rotterdam Airport (2024)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/avia_par_nl/default/table?lang=en&category=avia.avia_pa.avia_par|title=Air passenger transport routes between partner airports and main airports in the Netherlands|website=Eurostat|access-date=29 March 2026}}</ref> |- ! Rank|| Airport || Passengers 2024 |- |1|| Málaga, Spain||style="text-align:right;"| 204,485 |- |2|| Alicante, Spain||style="text-align:right;"| 193,186 |- |3|| Faro, Portugal||style="text-align:right;"| 157,577 |- |4|| London-City, United Kingdom||style="text-align:right;"| 118,538 |- |5|| Barcelona, Spain||style="text-align:right;"| 98,658 |- |6|| Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen, Turkey||style="text-align:right;"| 97,810 |- |7|| Ibiza, Spain||style="text-align:right;"| 95,313 |- |8|| Tenerife-South, Spain||style="text-align:right;"| 76,896 |- |9|| Lisbon, Portugal||style="text-align:right;"| 72,740 |- |10|| Gran Canaria, Spain||style="text-align:right;"| 72,287 |}

==Ground transport== thumb|Meijersplein metro station

===Bus=== The airport is served by bus line '''33''', which runs between Rotterdam Centraal, the airport, and further to Meijersplein station. At Meijersplein, transfers are available to metro line E, with frequent service to Den Haag Centraal, Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam city center.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.ret.nl/reizen-met-ret/dienstregeling/overzicht/metro/lijn-e.html | title=Metro}}</ref>

===Car=== The airport is situated next to the busy A13/E19 motorway, which makes it easily accessible via car.{{cn|date=April 2026}}

==See also== * Transport in the Netherlands * List of airports in the Netherlands

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category-inline}} * {{Official website}} * {{NWS-current|EHRD}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110514054140/http://aviation-safety.net/database/airport/airport.php?id=RTM Accident history for RTM] at Aviation Safety Network

{{Portalbar|Netherlands|Aviation}} {{Airports in the Netherlands}}

Category:Airports in South Holland Category:Buildings and structures in Rotterdam Category:Transport in Rotterdam Category:Transport in The Hague Category:Airports established in 1956 Category:1956 establishments in the Netherlands Category:Airports in the Netherlands Category:20th-century architecture in the Netherlands