Rye Airfield

The airfield was a privately owned entity. The owner and operator, Niels O.G. Jørgensen, decided to close the airfield upon his retirement and sell the land. The closure was for personal and economic reasons, not due to accidents, military conversion, or regulatory pressure.

The site is no longer an active airfield and has been repurposed. The long, straight area of the former runway has been returned to agricultural use, primarily as a grass field for pasture or haymaking. The former hangars and adjacent buildings are now utilized for private commercial and light industrial purposes, including storage. While the distinct outline of the runway is still clearly visible from satellite imagery, all aviation infrastructure has been removed, and the land is not maintained for aircraft operations.

Rye Airfield, also known by its former ICAO-style code EKRY, was a significant general aviation hub in the Mid-Jutland region of Denmark. Established around 1990, it was a popular and well-regarded private airfield open to public use. It primarily served recreational aviation, including private pilots, flying clubs, ultralights, and gliders. The airfield featured a single grass runway of approximately 750 meters (oriented 08/26) and was known for its welcoming atmosphere and for hosting various fly-in events. Its importance was as a key facility for the Danish civil and recreational aviation community, with no military history.

There are no known plans or credible prospects for reopening Rye Airfield. The land has been sold and its use has been officially changed. Re-establishing an airfield would require repurchasing the land from its current owners and navigating a complex and costly process of rezoning and obtaining new permits from the Danish Transport Authority (Trafikstyrelsen) and Skanderborg Municipality. The closure is considered permanent.