Ostend-Bruges airport welcomed 370.000 passengers in 2022

Ostend-Bruges airport has had an excellent year. Last year, 369,300 passengers travelled through the airport, which is 67% more than last year and again 81% of the number of passengers travelling through Ostend Airport in 2019. In terms of cargo, the airport also did well again. The total handled cargo volume was 51,000 tonnes.

Passenger figures

“After two exceptional and difficult years, 2022 could again see plenty of travel. The airport can therefore record exccellent passenger figures and an excellent occupancy rate over the full year,” says CEO Eric Dumas. “The summer months were again absolute top months for our airport. In July, August and September, we welcomed 140,000 passengers.”

In total, the airport received 369,363 passengers last year. That is an increase of 67% compared to 2021 and again 81% of the number of passengers who travelled through our airport in 2019. “A very nice result. In December, we welcomed as many passengers as in December 2019. A great harbinger for 2023,” says CEO Eric Dumas.

In 2023, the Turkish destination Antalya will again be added to the flight schedule. “In total, travellers can once again fly to 13 Spanish, Greek and Turkish destinations. We expect at least as many passengers in 2023 as this year,” Dumas concludes.

Cargo

Cargo traffic through Ostend-Bruges Airport shows a nice result for the third year in a row. Just over 51,000 tonnes of cargo were handled at our airport this year. “The total cargo volume handled this year is slightly below last year’s figures. Then our airport handled 62,000 tonnes. 2021 was an exceptionally strong year globally. We expected this slight decline and it is not limited to our airport alone. Economic developments worldwide have caused a slightly lower demand for air cargo transport,” Dumas said.

“With 51,000 tonnes, we are achieving the same result as in 2020 and are still noticing a 107% increase compared to 2019 (24,700 tonnes). The investments by the airport, handling companies and external partners in the further development of cargo transport are clearly paying off. In the spring, the new cargo warehouse built by Versluys Logistics at our airport will also be completed. We therefore expect cargo volumes to increase further over the next years.”

Egyptair and Qatar Airways remain the main cargo carriers serving our airport. Egyptair operated 30% more flights through Ostend-Bruges Airport this year compared to last year. The airport also welcomed a new airline with Mesk Air that calls at Ostend weekly in 2022. In addition, our airport remains very attractive for humanitarian missions and smaller cargo flights carrying for example car parts.

Business Aviation

The number of business flights increased by 12% at Ostend-Bruges Airport last year. “Business aviation is an important pillar for our airport. Since 2019, thanks to NSAC, our airport has a brand new Business Terminal. NSAC offers business travellers the speed, comfort and discretion they need. This increase is a great reward for NSAC’s hard work and investment. Together with NSAC, we will continue to promote our airport,” Dumas said.

In 2022, NSAC also inaugurated 12 new General Aviation hangars. These hangars are a huge asset for General Aviation activities at our airport and will also attract new commercial activity from smaller aviation players.

Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp Airport look back on strong summer holidays

The airports of Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges look back positively on the summer vacations. The airports welcomed almost 50% more passengers than one year ago. After two years full of travel restrictions due to corona, travelers clearly enjoy going on vacation by plane again. Thereby, vacationers opt more and more for regional airports. The Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp Airports welcomed a total of just under 160,000 passengers this summer vacation. 

Travel via the regional airports is on the rise. The regional airports of Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp welcomed remarkably more passengers this summer. A total of 158,614 passengers traveled via the regional airports this summer vacation, an increase of 48% compared to 2021 and again 80% of the number of passengers who traveled via our airports in 2019 – before corona. 

Antwerp Airport: “96% of the number of passengers in 2019”.

In July and August, 64,529 passengers chose Antwerp Airport to travel. That is an increase of 72% compared to last year and 97.3% of the number of passengers who chose our airport – for corona – in the summer of 2019. A very positive result that exceeds the expected passenger number. “The airport has had a very strong summer,” says CEO Eric Dumas. “There was again plenty of travel this summer and we are noticing more and more that people prefer to depart and arrive via a regional airport.” 

A total of 191,000 passengers have already traveled via Antwerp Airport this year. That’s a whopping 96.3% of the number of passengers we welcomed in the same period in 2019. “It gives everyone at the airport a huge boost to see these great figures. The airport continues to work hard to welcome even more passengers in the future. Between September 19 and October 25, the airport will be temporarily closed. The runway will then be given a new top layer. These works are essential to be able to welcome hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers in the years to come,” says Dumas.

At the end of December the airport will also welcome an Italian airline with SkyAlps. SkyAlps will operate 3 flights weekly to Bolzano in the Italian Dolomites. 

Top 3 summer destinations from Antwerp Airport

1) Alicante
2) Malaga
3) Ibiza

Business flights

Business and private aviation is also on the rise at Antwerp Airport. The market has seen a rapid recovery after the corona pandemic. As of June 2021, business and private flights exceeded the 2019 figures. This year, the number of business flights already recorded an increase of more than 16% compared to the same period in 2019. And this summer records were broken again. The number of business flights via Antwerp Airport in July and August was no less than 29% higher than during the summer of 2019.

“Thanks to private jet companies such as Flyinggroup, ASL Group, The Aviation Factory and Deutz Aviation, all of which are based in Antwerp and are known worldwide, business/private aviation in Antwerp is flourishing like never before,” says CEO Eric Dumas.

Ostend-Bruges Airport

In July and August, 94,085 passengers chose Oostende-Brugge Airport for their vacations. That is an increase of 34% compared to 2021. Travelers could choose from 13 destinations in Greece, Spain and Turkey this summer. This summer, the airport welcomed again 73% of the number of passengers traveling through our airport during the summer of 2019. “We are pleased that people have found their way back to our airport,” says CEO Eric Dumas. “Comparing the figures with 2019 is difficult, because then a total of 22 destinations were flown. This summer we only had 13 destinations on offer from Ostend. We hope to add new destinations soon.”

A total of 250,578 passengers already traveled via Ostend Airport this year.

Top 3 summer destinations from Ostend-Bruges Airport

1) Alicante
2) Canary Islands
3) Malaga

Regional airports popular

The regional airports always offer travelers a comfortable departure without stress. Therefore, the airports are gaining popularity among travelers. “Whoever chooses a regional departure, immediately chooses a comfortable departure without stress. Our airports are not crowded and we are always easily accessible. There is a family atmosphere at our airports. We therefore recommend that passengers arrive no earlier than 2 hours before departure.”

“The short walking distances and fast check-in are for many passengers the decisive factor to travel via Oostende or Antwerp. Now that many airports are facing staff and capacity shortages, the regional airports can play an important role.”

Ostend-Bruges Airport takes renewed aircraft parking Apron 2 in use

Important infrastructural works have been completed at Ostend-Bruges Airport. The aircraft parking area in front of the passenger building was renewed. “This is an important step for this airport,” says Bruno De Saegher, chairman of the LOM Vlaanderen. “These works were necessary to continue to guarantee the safety of air traffic in the future.”

Commissioned by the LOM Flanders, “apron 2” – the central aircraft parking area in front of the passenger building – was completely renovated. This is the airport’s largest aircraft parking area and is used to handle cargo and passenger flights. In addition to “apron 2,” the airport also has the east-facing “apron 1” used for cargo handling, and the west-facing “apron 3” used for general aviation.

“The 160,000 sq. ft. aircraft parking lot was excavated to the foundation level and received a new concrete pavement. The service road received a new layer of asphalt. All the sewers under the aircraft parking lot, including those of the Albertus conductor, were also renewed,” says LOM chairman Bruno De Saegher. The LOM Flanders invested 12.4 million euros for these works.

The works will extend the life of the aircraft parking lot by another 40 years. This is an important step for the further development of this airport. These works were necessary to continue to guarantee the safety of air traffic in the future. The existing infrastructure was renovated; the works do not lead to an increase in the capacity of the airport.

Progress of the works

From an organizational point of view, the renovation of the aircraft parking area was not straightforward, as the airport remained fully operational during the works. This was possible thanks to the good coordination between the client (LOM Vlaanderen), the contractor (COLAS) and the operator (LEM Oostende-Brugge).

The works started in April 2021 and took place in two major phases. During the first phase, the eastern part of the aircraft parking lot, including the foundation, was broken up and the western part remained in use for air traffic. After the construction of the sub-foundation (in crushed concrete rubble) and the foundation (in lean concrete), two concrete layers totaling 30 cm thick were poured on top of each other. This is necessary to ensure the necessary bearing capacity for the heavier aircraft. In January 2022, the second part of the renovation was started, and the western part was tackled. From then on, aircraft could already use the (renovated) eastern part of the aircraft parking lot. The entire project was completed after just over a year.

During the renovation works, several projectiles from World War II were found. These were always removed safely, and the DOVO demining service also had to come to the site several times. There was never any danger for the airport or local residents, and the disruption to air traffic was always limited.

Much attention to sustainability

Ostend-Bruges Airport attaches great importance to sustainability. Therefore, as much as possible of the concrete of the old surfacing was recycled and reused. For that purpose a temporary concrete plant was built on the airport site. By recycling the old paving on site, not only was unnecessary dumping of concrete waste avoided, but a lot of driving back and forth by trucks was also saved.

After the old pavement was recycled, it was reused for the underpinning and foundation of the renovated apron. During the renovation, the infrastructure for an electrical connection was also provided on a number of stands, so that aircraft no longer have to use their own power generators when parked. This avoids a great deal of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Quote Alderman for Business Charlotte Verkeyn (CIty of Ostend)

“I am pleased with the beautiful result of this thorough renovation.  This necessary investment should help us to guarantee in the years to come the crucial role that Ostend Airport plays in Flanders.”

Quote Mayor of Ostend Bart Tommelein

“The airport is a great asset for Ostend. The renewed Apron 2 is the largest aircraft parking and is used for both passenger and cargo flights. The renovation was necessary for the sustainable growth of the airport. The City will continue to support the airport in its further development as an economic hub for all kinds of related and innovative activities.”

DETOUR NSAC – HOW TO REACH NSAC COMING FROM OSTEND

Dear travelers, 

From January 9, 2023 to February 6, 2023, the Nieuwpoortsesteenweg between house numbers 590 and 602 will be closed in both directions due to road works. 

HOW TO REACH NSAC COMING FROM OSTEND

Those who want to reach NSAC from Ostend will have to follow a detour. From our airport you can follow these routes: 

• COMING FROM OSTEND CITY CENTER:
  • DORPSTRAAT (Via Duinenkerkje) – ZEEDIJK – KERKSTRAAT – OOSTENDELAAN – NIEUWPOORTSESTEENWEG
    
• COMING FROM E40 HIGHWAY:
  • LEFFINGESTRAAT – FLERISKOTSTRAAT – KALKAARTWEG – NIEUWPOORTSESTEENWEG

Ostend-Bruges Airport welcomes over 100.000 passengers during second quarter of 2022

In the second quarter, 103.377 passengers travelled via Ostend-Bruges International Airport, an increase of 271% compared to the second quarter of 2021 and 80% of the passenger volume in 2019 (before the covid crisis). In terms of cargo, there is a decrease in total volumes this quarter compared to last year (-22%), but an increase of 78% compared to 2019.

Ostend-Bruges Airport records strong passenger figures in the second quarter of 2022. In April, May and June, 103,377 passengers travelled via Oostende. “That is an increase of 271% compared to the same period last year. When we look at 2019, we again reach 80% of the passenger numbers before corona. This is mainly due to the changed offer: some destinations in Tunisia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Egypt are not operated this year,” says CEO Eric Dumas.

Since the start of this year, passenger numbers have been increasing month after month. “Travellers clearly feel like travelling again. In July and August, we expect more than 40,000 passengers every month”, says CEO Eric Dumas. In total, the airport welcomed 156,493 passengers during the first half of the year. That is 380% more than in 2021 and 18.7% less than in the record year of 2019.

Cargo

For the first time since 2020, cargo traffic via Ostend-Bruges Airport decreased this quarter. The traded volume dropped by 21.8% compared to the same period last year. However, the traded volume is still 78% above the 2019 level. “Our airport experienced strong growth. Since 2019, the cargo segment grew by 150%. This slight decline was to be expected. In addition, the second quarter is always a quiet period in terms of cargo activities,” says CEO Eric Dumas.

In the first six months of this year, 22,840 tonnes were traded, just 1.5% less than in the first half of 2021. EgyptAir and Qatar Airways remain the airport’s largest cargo customers. 

Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp airports expect 150.000 passengers this summer

After two years full of travel restrictions, travellers clearly have renewed confidence in their travel plans and in the regional airports. Therefore, the Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp airports are getting ready for a busy summer during which they expect about 150,000 passengers. 

The summer holidays are just around the corner. Those who travel to the sun via Ostend-Bruges Airport this summer can choose from a total of 12 Spanish and Greek destinations. The absolute top destination of this summer is Malaga. The Spanish seaside resort is closely followed by the Canary Islands and Alicante, which complete the top three. The airport expects about 90,000 passengers this summer. 

This summer, Antwerp Airport can be used to travel to 9 destinations in Spain, Croatia, France and Morocco. With seven flights a week each, Malaga and Alicante in Antwerp come out on top. Ibiza is the third most popular destination from the diamond city. Besides TUI fly, ASL Fly Deluxe flies twice a week from Antwerp to Ibiza. The flights of ASL take place between 29 June and 17 August. In total the Antwerp airport expects about 60,000 passengers during the summer months. 

Regional airports popular

The regional airports offer travellers a comfortable departure without stress. The airports are gaining popularity with travellers. “Our airports have a family atmosphere”, emphasizes Eric Dumas, CEO of the Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp airports. “Whoever opts for a regional departure, also opts for a comfortable departure without stress. Our airports are not crowded and are always easily accessible. We advise passengers to arrive no earlier than two hours before departure.

“The short walking distances, cheaper parking rates and quick check-in are for many passengers the decisive factor to travel via Oostende or Antwerp. Now that many airports are struggling with staff and capacity shortages, the regional airports can play an important role. Our airports can still handle extra flights, as we clearly proved on Monday 20 June. And all this without the passengers who choose for our airports having to compromise on comfort”, concludes Dumas.

Gunther Hofman, Managing Director TUI fly Belgium: “We are very happy with the additional flights that TUI fly can continue to offer from the regional airports. For years now, our passengers have greatly appreciated the comfort of being able to depart close to home and they have always given an excellent score to the small scale and friendly service that characterise the airports of Ostend and Antwerp.”

Ostend-Bruges Airport futureproofs cargo operations with Nallian-powered Cargo Cloud

Driven by a strong ambition to deliver stellar service and prepare for growth, Ostend-Bruges Airport is equipping its cargo hub with a Nallian-powered Cargo Cloud. The OST Cargo Cloud will enable a coordinated, digitalized approach to processes such as freight pick up and drop off, and the inspection of perishable goods. At the same time, it will provide the airport operator with actionable insights into its end-to-end cargo streams. The digital approach will empower the individual stakeholders to increase quality, visibility, and efficiency in their operations while increasing the attractiveness of the hub with reliable, transparent processes.

Not congestion, but visibility and efficiency as the main drivers

Unlike many other airports, the Ostend-Bruges Airports’ cargo hub is not facing the typical challenges related to congestion. They are investing in digitization to increase operational efficiency and visibility, improve customer service, and, at the same time, prepare for growth. The collaborative applications of Nallian’s Cargo Cloud, such as Inspection Management, Truck Visit Management, Check-it, and Cargo Statistics) will enable them to streamline all actions related to truck visits, the inspection of perishable goods, and the execution of operational and compliance checks. At the same time, the airport will gain granual insights in their end-to-end cargo streams.

Eric Dumas, CEO at Ostend-Bruges Airport, comments: “We have an ambitious cargo community that strives to deliver first-in-class service. Nallian’s Cargo Cloud is a robust platform that has proven its worth in many other cargo hubs. Its easy-to-implement, modular approach will allow us to quickly activate functionality and generate first benefits and easily expand in the future. This digital tool will allow Ostend airport to strengthen its attractiveness and further increase the speed of cargo handling which is already one of its main differentiating assets. It completes the ambitious development project “Ostend Cargo Village”, the first building phase of which is already under construction.”

Jean Verheyen, CEO at Nallian: “It’s a misconception that solutions like Truck Visit Management, one of the collaborative applications on our Cargo Cloud, only generate value for big hubs facing congestion issues. The pandemic has illustrated the importance of air cargo and the need for efficient, transparent processes. Digitization is the way to achieve this. It has proven to generate significant benefits for big and small cargo hubs, and we are very proud to support Ostend Airport on its digitization journey.”

About Ostend-Bruges Airport

Ostend-Bruges International Airport (OST) is located in the Western part of Flanders, Belgium which is close to all major European industrial and consumer markets. The airport is easy accessible via the road- and rail network and seaports in the vicinity of the airport. The airport is known for its 24/7 fast and flexible cargo-services, does not apply slots and doesn’t have capacity restrictions. The airports cargo activities grew 150 % in the last two years. The airport keeps investing in the cargo activities and will built – via the Cargo Village project – 48.000 m2 of additional warehouse facilities.

(c) Michel Vandaele

Airport renews important environmental management certificate 

Ostend-Bruges Airport has once again received the official ISO 14001 certificate for environmental management. “We attach great importance to environmental care and sustainable business practice”, says CEO Eric Dumas. 

Ostend-Bruges Airport is strongly committed to the sustainable development of the airport and wants to try to minimize the impact on the environment in the process. In addition to strictly complying with all applicable environmental regulations, since 2013 Ostend-Bruges Airport has opted for a system that complies with the ISO 14001 environmental standard. ISO 14001 is the internationally accepted standard of requirements for environmental management systems. The environmental management system specifically focuses on controlling and improving environmental performance, such as reducing energy consumption.

“Our airport attaches great importance to the environmental management system,” states CEO Eric Dumas. “We take a structured, policy-based approach to environmental care. Our airport attaches great importance to environmental care and sustainable business,” says Dumas. 

After a thorough audit, our airport was allowed to receive the renewed environmental management certificate this week. “We are proud to renew our ISO 14001 certificate for the next 3 years. It is our ambition to continue our commitment to the environment and to limit our impact as much as possible. This approach therefore fits into the overall framework of reducing the environmental impact of the entire aviation industry, which, through concerted efforts, will enable the sector to become carbon neutral in the medium term,” says Dumas. “To keep our footprint as small as possible, we are also looking further afield. For example, we are looking at the options of installing solar panels on the grassed areas at the airport. That way, we might also be able to generate energy,” Dumas concludes. 

AIRPORT RENEWS IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE

Ostend-Bruges Airport has once again received the official ISO 14001 certificate for environmental management. “We attach great importance to environmental care and sustainable entrepreneurship”, says CEO Eric Dumas.

Ostend-Bruges Airport is strongly committed to the sustainable development of the airport and wants to try to minimize the impact on the environment in the process. In addition to strictly complying with all applicable environmental regulations, since 2013 Airport Oostende-Brugge has opted for a system that complies with the environmental standard ISO 14001. ISO 14001 is the internationally accepted standard of requirements for environmental management systems. The environmental management system specifically focuses on controlling and improving environmental performance, such as reducing energy consumption.

“Our airport attaches great importance to the environmental management system,” states CEO Eric Dumas. “We take a structured, policy-based approach to environmental care. Our airport attaches great importance to environmental care and sustainable business,” says Dumas.

After a thorough audit, our airport was allowed to receive the renewed environmental management certificate this week. “We are proud to renew our ISO 14001 certificate for the next 3 years. It is our ambition to continue our commitment to the environment and to reduce our impact as much as possible. This approach therefore fits into the overall framework of reducing the environmental impact of the entire aviation industry, which, through concerted efforts, will enable the sector to become carbon neutral in the medium term,” says Dumas. “To keep our footprint as small as possible, we are also looking further afield. For example, we are looking at the options of installing solar panels on the grassed areas at the airport. That way, we might also be able to generate energy,” Dumas concludes.

Construction of 12 new aircraft hangars starts: important milestone for General Aviation at Ostend-Bruges Airport

The North Sea Aviation Center (NSAC) and Oostende-Brugge Airport are building 12 new aircraft hangars for General Aviation along the Nieuwpoortsesteenweg. “Important milestone for the airport and the region”, say Erik Vermeersch (Managing Director NSAC) and airport CEO Eric Dumas.

In October, Ostend-Bruges Airport and the North Sea Aviation Center (NSAC) announced their plans for the construction of 12 General Aviation aircraft hangars at the airport. In the meantime, the construction company Vulsteke started the construction of the hangars, which would be ready by mid-July.

Today, the mayor of Ostend Bart Tommelein, the mayor of Middelkerke Jean-Marie Dedecker, the alderman for Enterprise and the Airport Charlotte Verkeyn, the airport CEO Eric Dumas, and Jef De Kinder and Erik Vermeersch of NSAC confirm a panel on the occasion of the start of this important project.

Home base for all General Aviation

“This is an important milestone for General Aviation at the airport and for the region,” says Managing Director Erik Vermeersch (NSAC). “With the construction of 12 new, sustainable hangars, we are betting on the future of General Aviation. It allows us to offer business, educational, recreational and innovative aviation a home base in Ostend. We are therefore convinced that these investments will create added commercial value for the airport, the region and the companies that will settle there.”

The airport also stresses the importance of this investment. “General Aviation is and will remain an important pillar for our airport,” says CEO Eric Dumas. The construction of the new hangars is important for the further sustainable development of general aviation activities.”

Flemish aviation companies

In the meantime, the first hangars have been sold and rented. The local pilot school Ostend Air College bought two hangars. The Noordzee Vliegclub will also make use of the new hangars. “We can be proud of local Flemish companies that put our airport and region on the map with their unique aviation activities,” said Erik Vermeersch. “We are convinced that the new hangars will add value to their business activities.”

“Thanks to its geographical location, flexibility and easy accessibility, our airport is the ideal location to welcome and further develop educational, recreational, business and innovative aviation,” said Eric Dumas.

Recreational aviation

Some hangars have already been sold and leased to private owners who will park their aircraft there. The location and infrastructure makes it the ideal base for recreational aviation. “This gives us great pleasure. We want to be an airport for everyone and will always embrace recreational aviation,” says Eric Dumas.

Sustainable materials

The new hangars were designed by Juno Architects and together will be 240 meters long and 6 meters high. The hangars will be finished with sustainable materials. “We have chosen to work with sustainable materials. The new sheds will not be heated, but thanks to the high degree of insulation, the buildings can be kept frost-free inside,” says Erik Vermeersch.

Eight smaller units will have a surface area of 440 m2. Two hangars will be twice as large: 880 m2 each. The finished units will be offered for rent or sale.

About NSAC

North Sea Aviation Center is the General Aviation Terminal at the International Airport Oostende-Brugge. NSAC provides all local services for general aviation. NSAC is also the fixed-base operator where it functions as a one-stop shop for business, offshore and military aviation. The private jet terminal sets the new standard of luxury in the travel sector in Belgium.

Quote Mayor of Ostend Bart Tommelein

“We embrace the growth of activity at our airport, as it is one of the economic growth poles of our city. Aviation is a sector with challenging opportunities, and with twelve new sustainable aircraft hangars, our airport can once again expand and attract people for both economic and recreational activities.”

Quote Alderman for Business (City of Ostend) Charlotte Verkeyn

“The investment in new hangars; for educational, recreational, business and innovative aviation will help to guide the cluster at and around our airport into the future. With the choice for sustainability and the way of finishing, a classy result will be obtained for the region.”