Private Jet Charter at De Kooy (EHKD/DHR)

Den Helder's Dual-Use Airfield at the Tip of the North Holland Peninsula

De Kooy (DHR) occupies a strategically unusual position at the northernmost tip of the North Holland landmass, where the Wadden Sea meets the North Sea shipping lanes. The airfield operates as a joint military-civil facility under Dutch Royal Navy authority (Vliegkamp De Kooy), which means civilian charter access requires PPR and coordination with the military ATC unit. Scheduled civil traffic is thin, but executive charter and offshore support movements are handled on a routine basis. Its location 80 km north of Amsterdam Schiphol makes it the only realistic fixed-wing option for direct access to Den Helder and the surrounding North Sea offshore sector without routing through a major hub.

Operational Profile

The runway at DHR runs to approximately 1,800m on the primary civil axis, though the full military paving extends further — confirm the operative length for your aircraft type with the handling agent prior to dispatch. Elevation is 3 ft ASL, so density altitude is irrelevant across all performance planning scenarios. H24 operations are available in principle, but as a joint military field, after-hours movements require advance coordination and are subject to military scheduling priorities. Slot requests should be submitted with sufficient lead time, particularly during periods of heightened Dutch naval activity.

Transfers & Connections

Den Helder city centre is approximately 5 km from the airfield — a 10-minute transfer. The port of Den Helder, the main embarkation point for Netherlands North Sea platform support and Texel Island ferry traffic, is accessible within 15 minutes by road. For passengers connecting onward into the Amsterdam metropolitan area, the drive via the N9 and A7 to the ring road takes approximately 75 minutes under normal conditions. Rail access from Den Helder station connects to Amsterdam Centraal in around 80 minutes. For transatlantic or intercontinental connections, routing through Schiphol remains the standard option.

Handling & Customs

Customs clearance is available on-site at DHR, which makes it a viable point of entry for Schengen-external arrivals, including offshore crew rotations originating from non-EU territories. Handling quality is rated at a professional level appropriate for executive charter, with ground support coordinated through the civil handling operation co-located with the military facility. A dedicated FBO is available for private and business aviation. Catering, fuel (JET-A1), and crew rest facilities are accessible, though the range of amenities is more functional than the full-service FBO experience available at Rotterdam The Hague or Schiphol. Confirm ground transport, catering, and any special requirements no less than 24 hours prior to block-in time.