Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) unveiled its newly renovated runway at a launch event held at the airport on 30 June 2023.

The Netherlands’ second largest cargo hub has invested €35.3 million to upgrade the airstrip as part of a plan to extend its operational length to 2,750 meters by January 2025.

The 8-week renovation was part of Maastricht Aachen Airport’s overall infrastructure development plan to invest €100 million in the airport over the coming years.

Sustainability was the key theme of the ceremony, with an electric plane used to officially open the runway after RWTH Aachen University professor Dr Günther Schuh delivered a speech on the future of sustainable aviation.

MST said cargo operations have now returned, with Turkish Cargo operating five flights a week out of the hub. Royal Jordanian and Emirates SkyCargo have also continued their operations at the airport, both running two flights each week.

The regional airport will also open its doors to passengers. Ryanair will operate 12 flights each week to six destinations, whilst Corendon will run 18 flights each week to seven destinations.

It comes after Royal Schiphol Group finalized a deal with Limburg province in June to take a 40 percent stake in MST in a bid to future-proof the regional airport through joint investment.