Antwerp airport will not have to close and can even expand, according to a report approved by the Flemish government on Friday.
The Flemish government has approved a report outlining the future of the region’s three airports: Antwerp airport, Ostend-Bruges and Kortrijk-Wevelgem airports.
Following a proposal by Flemish Minister of Mobility, Lydia Peeters, the regional government decided that Antwerp airport, whose future had been uncertain, could even be expanded. The authorities also consider an increase in commercial and business flights.
The political opposition sees this as an illogical decision as the airport has been loss-making for years.
Currently, the airport is mainly used for business flights and a few commercial flights during holiday periods.
The government also envisions to grow passenger numbers for Ostend-Bruges Airport and to develop its cargo activities, while the infrastructure at Kortrijk-Wevelgem will be able to develop business flights.
Flanders will also look into the feasibility of a single control tower for all three airports.
The opposition strongly denounced the decision to allow the development of Antwerp airport. “This is a slap in the face to all those who demand intelligent investments in mobility,” Imade Annouri, from the Green party, said.
