About us
Shaping the future of aviation – through expertise and innovation
Since 1949, NACO has been a proud leader in airport consultancy and engineering. At the forefront of our vision, we are focused on delivering the next generation of aviation that are sustainable, inclusive and resilient.
Whether that’s the One-Terminal concept that we introduced at Schiphol Airport in the 1960s, or Luxemburg Airport’s runway refurbishment design guaranteeing operational continuity, and even defining a new global standardized framework for ESG reporting – we believe in pushing the boundaries to deliver an excellent airport experience.
International experience, regional insight
With project experience in locations around the world, we have developed a deep understanding of global aviation trends and the bespoke needs of individual regions and nations. Through our multidisciplinary expertise, we deliver solutions in this local context, while adhering to international standards.
Meet our team
Esther Kromhout
Managing DirectorEsther Kromhout is NACO’s Managing Director, a position she has held since 2021. With a focus on collaboration and sustainability, Esther leads our team of over 200 people in our ambitions to shape the next generation of aviation.
Prior to this role, Esther was a senior project manager at NACO where she undertook several secondments at clients such as the Aruba Airport Authority, where she led the Gateway 2030 project in all aspects covering business planning, financing, and contract formation.
With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Esther combines strategic insight of the challenges and opportunities presented by the ever-changing aviation industry with practical knowledge of projects on the ground. As NACO is part of the wider Royal HaskoningDHV group, Esther is well-positioned to bring expertise from other industries – such as water, transport, building and infrastructure – and translate it into the complex, stringent environment in which our aviation clients operate.
Esther is a dedicated advocate for diversity, with a strong passion for bringing together diverse views and people to foster a high-performance culture and enhance client engagement.
Outside her NACO role, Esther is also an active member in aviation industry discussions, with regular speaking slots at industry events such as the ACI’s World Annual General Assembly.
Jelmer van der Meer
Director Airport Asset DesignJelmer van der Meer serves as NACO’s Director of Airport Asset Design team, which comprises around 150 professionals dedicated to planning, designing, and implementing airport civil and building infrastructure projects.
Since joining NACO in 2007, Jelmer has been integral to all aspects of airport infrastructure development, from planning studies and design & engineering to construction management for both greenfield and brownfield airports.
As an experienced commercial leader, Jelmer has a proven track record in delivering successful large-scale complex infrastructure projects while maintaining strong engagement with top-level stakeholders.
With a degree in civil engineering from TU Delft University, Jelmer is passionate about developing a new and diverse pool of talent to help shape the aviation industry of tomorrow.
Tim van Vrijaldenhoven
Director Airport Strategy & Planning
Tim van Vrijaldenhoven serves as NACO’s Director of Airport Strategy & Planning, where he leads a team dedicated to addressing two critical challenges for international airports: managing growth and ensuring that air travel remains pleasant and future-proof.
With nearly 20 years of experience in various aviation and business development roles, particularly in cleantech solutions in the transportation sector, Tim brings both airport planning expertise and an entrepreneurial spirit to our multidisciplinary team.
His background in urban planning and architecture fuels his passion for innovative thinking and new perspectives in airport strategy & master planning.
Tim holds a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Planning and has extensive global experience managing large aviation projects and has a particular focus on the Asian market.
Gerard van der Veer
Director Airport Building Design The NetherlandsGerard van der Veer is Director of Airport Building Design, Netherlands. Gerard has architectural expertise, primarily in airport design and functional analysis, and specializes in airport passenger simulations and wayfinding.
Having worked at NACO for over 20 years, Gerard has held the role of Director of Airport and Planning for every project that the company has been involved in at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tom Mockett
Director of Aviation StrategyTom Mockett is NACO’s Director of Global Aviation Strategy. He heads up our Smart Aviation team which focuses on new service innovation and global market development. Tom plays a crucial role in shaping NACO’s company strategy and is responsible for implementing our strategic objectives and vision to deliver excellence for our international clients and partners.
During his 20-year career, Tom has gained extensive experience in airport development, infrastructure, terminal planning, masterplanning, and strategy, making him well placed to drive forward innovation and strategic business development at NACO.
Tom is a RIBA chartered architect (Royal Institute of British Architects) and a member of RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) and brings a wealth of experience from various roles across Belgium and the Netherlands, most recently serving as the Director for Spatial and Programme Development at Schiphol Airport.
Beyond NACO, Tom is a regular speaker at Airport and Aviation conferences and has published and contributed to articles for Airports International Magazine, Journal of Airport Management, Passenger Terminal Today, and Passenger Terminal World.
Want to help us shape the future of aviation?
All the great work we have done over the last 75 years is made possible through our dedicated and diverse team of experts – who care deeply about creating solutions and contributing to projects that make a positive, sustainable impact across the globe.
Our team crosses cultures, borders, and disciplines – with all of us united by a desire to forge a sustainable and innovative future for aviation.
Join us as we make a real impact, together.
