Due to an accumulation of factors, DDA is forced to discontinue sightseeing flights with the Dakota PH-PBA “Princess Amalia” after 2024:
- The lease of the hangar at Schiphol Airport where the PH-PBA is for storage and maintenance has been terminated. There is no affordable hangar space available at Schiphol Airport.
- Schiphol is expected to reduce the number of aircraft movements “airport slots.” DDA falls under this regime and will undoubtedly have to surrender frequencies. This means that operations are in jeopardy.
- The European Commission has banned the production of AvGas, the fuel on which the Dakota flies, by 2025.
- Alternatives are being experimented with, but it is not yet known how the Dakota’s engines respond to them. Costly modification is not ruled out.
- Several airports are closing access for the Dakota due to noise and environmental restrictions. That means DDA will be limited in its earning power with all the implications for operations.
- Costs for landings and handling especially at Schiphol are rising disproportionately. To keep sightseeing flights accessible to a wide audience, DDA has a conservative pricing policy.
- With cost increases passed on, demand will drop significantly. Consequently, a balanced operation for 2025 cannot be put together.
- As the average age of our volunteers increases, the organization becomes vulnerable.
- Replacing the expertise present with rejuvenation has been only very partially successful to date.
It should be noted with great emphasis that flight safety is not and will not be an issue.
Suggestions are being made to bring the operation back to Lelystad. This alternative has been investigated and like Schiphol, there is no affordable hangar capacity at Lelystad.
Once back at Lelystad, we lose an important part of our organization. Most volunteers live around Schiphol and prefer not to drive back and forth.
These are the reasons why the Board decided to discontinue flights after 2024.