KLM operated tourist flights to the new airfield using the Fokker F.XXXVI while the military based a number of aircraft.

At the start of the Second World War, the airfield came under attack by the German Luftwaffe, resulting in the destruction of 10 of the 25 based aircraft.

German troops captured the island and took control of the airfield, expanding it for their own use and naming it Fliegerhorst Texel.

In April 1943, it was decided to no longer make use of the airfield, and obstructions were placed to prevent allied aircraft from using it as a potential landing site.

It was on its way from Texel to de Kooy airport at Den Helder when one of the engines failed and the crew was unable to feather the propeller.