Last year (2023) saw Ostend-Bruges Airport welcome 386,000 passengers, marking a 4.6% increase on 2022 figures.
“Amidst global challenges, we continue to prove the economic value our airport provides every day,” said CEO Eric Dumas. Over the past year, the airport has reintroduced Antalya to its flight offerings, positively impacting passenger numbers. This year will see the airport resume Egyptian destinations, including Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada to its destination network. Passengers travelling through the airport in 2024 will have a choice of 14 destinations, with the airport looking to expand its route map even further.
General and business aviation traffic has also seen growth at the airport over the last year, following the inauguration of 12 new hangars in 2022. By the end of 2023, 75% of these new hangar facilities were sold or rented out. The airport has also played a crucial role as a hub for humanitarian aid flights. More than 20 humanitarian missions departed from Ostend to destinations such as Turkey, Libya and Gaza in 2023.
While the airport has seen growth in most areas, the sudden departure of Qatar Airways Cargo in April last year saw cargo volumes fall in 2023, with 33,000 tonnes being moved through the airport in 2023 compared to 51,000 tonnes in 2022. “After several exceptionally strong years in cargo transport, global economic developments led to a decrease in demand for air freight,” explained Dumas. He also noted that the increase in passenger flights also had a role to play in fewer flights with only cargo on board.
However, with passenger traffic on the rise, the airport’s runway and taxiway are in need of upgrading, which has resulted in the closure of the airport from the end of January until 27 March. The temporary closure will allow for the infrastructural improvements to be made to ensure the safety of all operations. The renovation of the runway and taxiway will particularly result in a significant reduction in noise and CO2 emissions for larger aircraft, as according to the airport, these planes will require less engine power.
“From late March, we will be ready to welcome our passengers again and look forward to a successful continuation of our operations,” concluded Dumas.
