Venlo-Herongen Air Base

The primary reason for the final closure was economic redevelopment. The land occupied by the former airfield was required for the large-scale expansion of the 'Greenport Venlo' (formerly TradePort Venlo), a major logistics and agri-business park. This development project led to the expropriation of the land and the forced relocation of the Venlo Gliding Club (Venlose Zweefvliegclub), which was the last active user of the airfield.

The site of the former air base has been almost completely transformed. The majority of the Dutch side is now occupied by the 'Greenport Venlo' business and logistics park, featuring large distribution centers for various international companies. The German side is largely a nature reserve known as 'Brachter Wald'. While most of the runways and buildings have been removed, some historical remnants are still visible. These include several bunkers (both personnel and ammunition), fragments of taxiways now used as roads within the business park, and a notable protected monument: the 'Verkoelingsgebouw' (cooling building) from the German era. The area is a mix of intense economic activity and protected nature, with its aviation past primarily preserved through these relics and historical markers.

Venlo-Herongen Air Base has significant World War II history.

1. **German Construction and Use (1940-1945):** Constructed by the German Luftwaffe shortly after the invasion of the Netherlands in 1940, it was known as 'Fliegerhorst Venlo'. It became one of the most important German night fighter bases on the western front. It was the main base for the famed Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (NJG 1), which flew aircraft like the Messerschmitt Bf 110 and Junkers Ju 88 to intercept Allied bombers targeting the industrial Ruhr Area. The base was vast, straddling the Dutch-German border, with extensive hangars, barracks, and three large runways.

2. **Allied Capture and Use (1945):** The base was heavily bombed by the Allies throughout the war. After being captured by Allied forces in March 1945, it was quickly repaired by the British Royal Engineers and recommissioned as an Advanced Landing Ground, designated B-55 Venlo. It was used by the Royal Air Force's Second Tactical Air Force, operating fighter-bomber squadrons (including Hawker Typhoons and Supermarine Spitfires) to support the final push across the Rhine and into Germany.

3. **Post-War Era (1946-2009):** After the war, the heavily damaged base was not retained for major military use by the Dutch. It was demilitarized and large parts were returned to nature or agriculture. A significant portion of the remaining runway and taxiway system was used by the Venlo Gliding Club, making it a hub for recreational aviation in the region for decades until its final closure.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the airport. The land has been irreversibly and extensively redeveloped into a vital economic zone and nature reserve. The original aviation infrastructure is almost entirely gone, and the current land use for logistics and industry makes any return to aviation activities infeasible and highly improbable.