Ostend-Bruges Airport looks back on a strong 2021: Record year for cargo and very promising passenger figures

Ostend-Bruges Airport ends 2021 with excellent cargo results and hopeful passenger figures. The traded freight volume increased last year to 62,000 tons, the best result in ten years. Passenger numbers also recovered nicely. Our airport welcomed 221,000 passengers last year and is looking forward to 2022 with great optimism.

Passenger numbers

Our airport – once again – was hit hard during the first months of 2021. Due to the rising covid-19 figures and a new lockdown, non-essential travel was prohibited until April 19th. As a result, the first TUI fly flights to four Spanish destinations only left at the end of April. This was clearly reflected in the figures. In the first half of the year, we welcomed only 32,500 passengers. 

From July onwards, more flights were scheduled and we connected our passengers with 13 of the 23 destinations. “This was also the beginning of a very nice recovery. In July, August and September, we welcomed 114,000 passengers. 142% more compared to the summer of 2020, but still 37% less than during the summer of 2019, when all 23 destinations were scheduled,” says CEO Eric Dumas.

The recovery also continued after the summer. In November, our airport even received 4% more passengers than before the covid-19 crisis erupted.

On an annual basis, the airport closed with 221,000 passengers. “A very nice and hopeful result”, concludes CEO Eric Dumas. “Despite the fact that only 13 of the 23 destinations were served this year, we were able to limit the loss of passengers. If the recovery continues like this, in 2022 we will be close to the result of our record year 2019.” 

In 2022, TUI fly will again fly to all 23 destinations from Ostend. This means that, in addition to Spanish and Greek destinations, travelers can also choose destinations in Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia and Bulgaria. 

96% on time performance

This year, the airport can also present excellent punctuality figures. No less than 96% of all flights departed on time. “Traveling via a regional airport has only advantages. Not only do you travel relaxed and in a safe environment, your flight almost always departs on time,” says CEO Eric Dumas.

Cargo

For the second year in a row, the cargo transport via Ostend-Bruges Airport has recorded a strong result. The handled volume rose by 17.8% to 62,000 tons. This is the best result since 2011.

Apart from our main customer EgyptAir, also Qatar Airways carried out many flights to Ostend. Since May, our airport is also included in the Qatar Airways route network. Furthermore, our airport remains very attractive for humanitarian missions and smaller cargo flights with, among others, car parts on board.

In addition to the regular carriers, our airport also welcomed temporary customers such as SilkWay West Airlines, Etihad Cargo, Mesk Air and Air Belgium.

“This excellent result is the result of the hard work and dedication of everyone at our airport. We will also continue to invest in the cargo segment in the years to come,” says Eric Dumas.”

Ostend-Bruges Airport cargo results more than doubled in 2020

Ostend Airport ends 2020 with excellent cargo results. The traded volume increased by 112.7% last year to 52,659 tonnes. The number of passengers decreased by 75.6% to 111,499 due to the effects of the coronavirus. The airport looks optimistically at the new year and is convinced that the regional airport can create an safe environment for its passengers.

Passenger figures

2020 started promisingly for Ostend Airport. With 42,000 passengers in the first two months of the year, our airport did 11% better than in the same period the year before. However, in March we were confronted with a different reality. The coronavirus caused all passenger flights to be temporarily suspended between mid-March and early July. After a good preparation and strict precautions, the first flight to Palma De Mallorca in Spain departed on July 3th. The restart of the flights led to a modest recovery due to a limited summer program. Just under 40,000 passengers travelled via Ostend Airport in July and August to top destinations in Spain, the Canary Islands and Greece. In addition, there were flights to Turkey that were only available for passengers with Turkish passports.

From August onwards, the number of travel restrictions increased again, which again had an impact on the flight schedule. TUI Fly therefore decided to suspend flights from September 10th until the autumn holidays. During this holiday, flights were temporarily offered again to the top destination Alicante.
On an annual basis, the airport ends 2020 with 111,499 passengers. This is 75.6% less than the 457,423 passengers our airport welcomed in 2019. Despite the corona crisis, the occupancy rate for destinations such as Alicante, Malaga and Tenerife was very high.

Safe travel environment

We are ready as an airport and are convinced that travelers can travel safely and relaxed via our airport. The airport has invested heavily in safe and efficient procedures in the recent months. The regional nature of our airport ensures that only few flights depart at the same time. In this way, there are a limited number of passengers in the airport building and the distance can be ensured at any time. This allows the airport to create an extra safe environment for its passengers.

Freight/Cargo

Freight transport via Ostend Airport ended 2020 with a strong result. The traded volume increased
by 112.7% to 52,659 tonnes. (24,757 in 2019) This is the best result since 2013. We also saw the
number of flights increase by 133% compared to 2019.

During the first lockdown there was a lot of demand for extra cargo flights. Part of the worldwide
increase in cargo flights also found its way to Ostend Airport. For example, Magma and Qatar
Airways operated flights on Ostend and fixed value Egyptair significantly expanded its flights. The
goods transported related to medical equipment, food and e-commerce. In the months that
followed the first lockdown, some airlines such as Qatar Airways decided to continue flying on
Ostend. This allowed growth to continue and made that the annual figures more than doubled
compared to 2019.

Cargo assets

The proximity of our airport to two seaports, the easy accessible mobility network around the
airport and our good location for distribution within northern Europe but also the UK are great
assets. On top of that, there is sufficient available capacity for hands at our airport, we are open
24/7 and there are no slots or restrictions. One by one assets that make our airport an extremely
attractive airport.

The airport continues to invest in the cargo segment. For this purpose, the airport has an agreement
with the Belgian construction company Versluys group to further develop the cargo infrastructure at
Apron 1. These works will normally start in 2021 and should support further growth.

Business Flights

The business flights through our General Aviation Terminal, operated by North Sea Aviation Center
(NSAC), held up well despite the corona crisis. We note a 7% decrease in the number of movements
compared to 2019. We note that the business flights via NSAC have quickly resumed and are again
approaching the level of 2019.

2021

The airport looks optimistically towards 2021. For example, we expect TUI Fly to resume this spring.
The destination Murcia will also be launched. Furthermore, we are also looking to restart the
successful connection with Moscow in the summer season. Furthermore, we hope to develop freight
transport and the associated infrastructure in 2021. In addition, we expect further growth and
development of general aviation through NSAC.

New Chinese partners for Ostend-Bruges Airport

More than ever, there are great cargo opportunities for Ostend-Bruges International Airport. Since the end of 2019, our airport has experienced a solid growth and that growth was well noticed by other cargo companies. For example, discussions are currently underway with various Chinese cargo companies and logistics companies.

Initially, it were our faithful clients as Egyptair, that already flew to Ostend, that raised the amount of flights. During the Corona pandemic the growth accelerated. Many airlines including Qatar Airways and Magma found their way to Ostend airport. This resulted in significant growth in the period March to June. But even when the global demand for cargo gradually declined again, the amount of handled cargo kept increasing.

The cargo volume increased  with 150.7% compared to the same period last year. This  has already exceeded the 2019 annual figure and we still have four months to go this year. 

Chinese Interest

The Hongyuan Group started a series of test flights at Ostend airport in early August. At the end of these successful test flights, the average number of weekly flights increased from 3 to 8 flights per week in September 2020. In August, Hongyuan accounted for nearly 15% of the cargo traded.

“We as an airport are very pleased with the cargo and logistic developments in Ostend. That is why we have entered an alliance with the Versluys group to expand and modernise our infrastructure. It is clear that the Chinese market and its stakeholders have discovered the possibilities in Ostend, especially with the proximity of both seaports, Ostend and Zeebrugge. We are grateful for the Chinese interest and in particular Mukden Logistics who today will officially complete their partnership with the airport. Flanders Distribution Country will not disappoint them” says Marcel Buelens, CEO Airports Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges. 

Arrival of new cargo companies

The number of airlines operating at Ostend-Bruges Airport has expanded in recent months. The new carriers include Qatar Airways, Magma & Hongyuan. The existing airline Egyptair has increased the number of flights to Ostend and also makes a fuel stop for their flights to the United States in Ostend. In addition, Strike Aviation and Kalitta Air will continue to use Ostend.

Mukden Logistics

After Hongyuan raised their flights after a successful test phase, the logistics holding company Mukden Logistics will today sign an agreement with the Ostend-Bruges International Airport. Mukden includes Yugo BV, Clearengo and some other partners in Zeebrugge. Yugo BV is the most used trade and logistics company for handling Chinese cargo in the port of Zeebrugge.

“Mukden Logistics chooses Ostend-Bruges Airport as a gateway for Chinese export companies to mainland Europe. Thanks to its central location, Ostend-Bruges airport has better distribution systems than the other airports. The airport is close to the port of Zeebrugge where Mukden Logistics will set up an intermodal platform that combines freight transport by sea and air,” said Qingzhen Yu, Managing Director of Mukden Logistics.

Message from the CEO

Dear traveler,

Last Wednesday, the W.H.O., World Health Organization, announced that COVID-19 has become a global epidemic (pandemic). It seems unreal for you, for me, for communities, for government leaders, for everyone here in the world. Reality takes precedence when we face the numbers. Given the daily evolution around COVID-19, “travel” quickly takes on a different meaning. Despite the uncertain and rapidly changing climate in which we live and work today due to the impact of COVID-19, I would also like to reassure you and outline the preventive measures we take as an airport to ensure your safety and the safety of our airport staff. Through this link you can consult our preventive measures.
Today are particularly challenging times for the aviation sector. This crisis therefore has an important impact on our aviation activities. In the meantime, several countries decide to close their airspace, which has an impact on normal schedules. In addition, travel is generally discouraged by the Foreign Affairs department. If you travel via our regional airports in the near future, please check the website of the airline TUI fly to see if your flight can continue. The airline is currently working day and night to provide their passengers with the best possible information and assistance.
With this I would like to personally thank you, dear traveler, for the trust you have in our regional airport. I therefore hope, just like you, that you will find the opportunity to travel again very often from Ostend-Bruges Airport.

Together we will fight this pandemic

Best regard,

Marcel Buelens
CEO & Accountable Manager Flanders International Airport Ostend-Bruges/Antwerp

Possible diruptions due to the Ciara storm

Due to the Ciara storm, possible disruptions of the flight schedule are expected. Your airline will inform you about the status of your flight.

Airline announces new route from Ostend-Bruges Airport

Airline announces new route from Ostend-Bruges Airport

Thursday 20 December 2018 – Pobeda, low cost branch of the Russian Aeroflot Group, announced the launch of three weekly flights to Moscow (Vnukovo). This is an important extension of the airport’s network as it is for the airline since it is their first Belgian route.

Flights will be operated three times per week as of March 7th 2019 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The Pobeda airline fleet consists only of 24 modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Marcel Buelens, CEO of Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp Airport is delighted: “These new scheduled flights are great news for our airport but also for the entire region. Tourism in Flanders will profit from this connection, enabling both short breaks as longer stays. Besides the Belgian passengers we expect to attract customers from nearby North of France and the South-West of The Netherlands.”

Seats on the direct flights from Ostend-Bruges to Moscow are now available www.pobeda.aero. Please note: flights start as of 7 March 2019. When selecting your flight, chose departure airport Bruges (Ostend). Full details will follow mid January.

TRAFFIC FIGURES SEPTEMBER 2018

Comparison between September 2018 and September 2017

Passengers

50,583 in September 2018 compared to 45,538 in September 2017  (+11.1%)

Movements
2,591 in September 2018 compared to 2,070 in September 2017 (+25.2%)

Freights/tons
1,068 ton in September 2018 compared to 1,020 ton in September 2017 (+102.8%)

TRAFFIC FIGURES AUGUST 2018

Comparison between August 2018 and August 2017

Passengers
62,937 in August 2018 compared to 54,390 in August 2017  (+15.7%)

Movements
2,485 in August 2018 compared to 2,431 in August 2017 (+2.2%)

Freights/tons
1,670 ton in August 2018 compared to 1,070 ton in August 2017 (+56.1%)

TRAFFIC FIGURES JULY 2018

Comparison between July 2018 and July 2017

Passengers

59,827 in July 2018 compared to 51,700 in July 2017  (+15.7%)

Movements
2,893 in July 2018 compared to 2,504 in July 2017 (+15.5%)

Freights/tons
1,835 ton in July 2018 compared to 1,023 ton in July 2017 (+79.2%)

TRAFFIC FIGURES MAY 2018

Comparison between May 2018 and May 2017

Passengers

39,659 in May 2018 compared to 36,983 in May 2017  (+7.2%)

Movements
1,724 in May 2018 compared to 2,493 in May 2017 (-30.8%)

Freights/tons
2,288 ton in May 2018 compared to 1,726 ton in May 2017 (+32.6%)