Dutch Air Force to stage flyby at final Zandvoort GP despite objections

The Royal Netherlands Air Force will perform a military flyby over the Zandvoort circuit shortly before the Dutch Grand Prix begins on Sunday. The display, scheduled for around 2:45 p.m., will feature a Chinook helicopter, a C-130 Hercules transport plane and several F-35 fighter jets. The flyby has drawn criticism from a group of local residents and nature lovers.

The Chinook will carry a 13-by-20-meter Dutch flag during the flyby, according to an Air Force spokesperson. It will pass over the circuit while the Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra performs the Dutch national anthem, the Wilhelmus.

This weekend’s race is currently set to be the final Dutch Grand Prix for the foreseeable future. The event organizers asked the Royal Netherlands Air Force to carry out the flyby, and the request fit with its existing schedule. The spokesperson said the flyby also offers the Air Force “a great moment to mark a chapter in Dutch sports history.”

The Friends of Middenduin Foundation (SVvM) says it twice urged the Ministry of Defense to cancel the flyby over the circuit, but chairman Ed Prins says the organization has received no response.

Flying the aircraft at low altitude “will cause even more noise pollution on top of all the noise from the races that we have to endure in Zuid-Kennemerland for three days,” Prins said. “We think it is improper to hold another air display this year without taking our interests into account. Moreover, it is underhanded to announce this so shortly beforehand, leaving no time to appeal against it.”

Middenduin is a nature reserve located near Overveen within the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.

Zandvoort and surrounding areas will face major traffic restrictions from Thursday. The village can only be reached by train, bike, on foot, or with a special permit, while the N200 and N201 to Zandvoort and Bloemendaal aan Zee will be closed to motorized traffic through Sunday evening. Additional road closures will be in effect from 5 a.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Sunday in Bentveld, Aerdenhout, Overveen and Haarlem.