Dutch naval air station serving Den Helder and North Sea operations.
Opened
1917
Location
Den Helder, Netherlands
De Kooy Airfield, officially designated Den Helder Naval Air Station (ICAO: EHKD, IATA: DHR), is a military airfield located near Den Helder in the Noord-Holland province of the Netherlands. It serves primarily as a base for the Royal Netherlands Navy and is home to rotary-wing maritime patrol and search-and-rescue operations.
The airfield also supports limited civilian and commercial activity, including offshore helicopter flights serving the North Sea oil and gas platforms. Its strategic position near the North Sea coast makes it an important hub for both naval aviation and offshore energy sector logistics.
Den Helder is the primary home base for the Netherlands Maritime Helicopter squadron, and the facility hosts various NATO exercises and allied military aviation activities given the Netherlands' commitments within the alliance.
Terminals
The airfield has minimal civilian terminal infrastructure, primarily catering to military personnel and offshore helicopter passengers rather than scheduled commercial airline travelers.
Getting to & from
Den Helder city centre is accessible by road, and the broader rail network connects Den Helder to Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, though direct public transport to the airfield is limited.
Airlines here
No major commercial airlines operate scheduled services from De Kooy; helicopter operators serving North Sea offshore platforms represent the primary commercial aviation activity.
Notable facts
- ›Primary base for the Royal Netherlands Navy's maritime helicopter operations.
- ›Supports North Sea offshore platform helicopter flights for the oil and gas industry.
- ›One of the oldest active military airfields in the Netherlands, with origins dating to World War I.
- ›Used for NATO exercises and hosts allied military aviation units periodically.
- ›Located at the northern tip of the Noord-Holland peninsula, adjacent to the North Sea.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.