Antwerp Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in antwerp

Antwerp, Belgium is served by Antwerp International Airport, a small airport located approximately 5.4 km south of the city. The airport is used for some scheduled and charter flights, as well as business and general aviation. Several flying schools, aircraft maintenance and repair workshops, operators of business jets, and private aircraft hangars are based at the airport. The airport has a short runway length of just over 1,500 m, limiting the size of aircraft that can operate there.

Characteristics Values
Name Antwerp International Airport
Location 2.9 nautical miles (5.4 km; 3.3 mi) south of Antwerp, Belgium
IATA Code ANR
ICAO Code EBAW
Number of Runways 2
Runway Dimension 1,510 m (4,950 ft)
Operating Hours 6:30 - 23:00 LT
Passenger Traffic 239,517 passengers in 2022
Passenger Traffic 306,330 passengers in 2019
Passenger Traffic 270,000+ passengers in 2001 (peak year)
Population within 50km +/- 2 million people
Number of Check-in Desks 8
Number of Gates 2
Number of Companies 55
Number of Jobs 586
Nearest Larger International Airports Brussels Airport, Eindhoven Airport

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Antwerp International Airport's history

Antwerp International Airport, also known as Antwerp Airport, is a small international airport located 2.9 nautical miles (5.4 km; 3.3 mi) south of Antwerp, Belgium. The airport is used for some scheduled and charter flights, as well as business and general aviation.

The history of the airport dates back to the early 20th century. After the first flying events at the Wilrijkse Plein, work on a proper airport for the city began in 1921, driven by pioneer aviator Jan Olieslagers. The national airline Sabena started operating passenger services from 1924 from an old railway carriage, which served as the only passenger infrastructure at the time. In 1929, the first stone of the project was laid by the Minister of Railway Transport, Maurice Lippens. During World War II, the airport was used by the Luftwaffe and also served the nearby Erla aircraft factory. The airport was home to the aircraft factory Stampe et Vertongen until its demise after World War II.

The early 1950s marked a new era for the airport, with several new airlines starting operations in Antwerp. During this time, Antwerp Airport served as an alternative to the Brussels Airport. In 1951, the original control tower was replaced by a more modern version. However, by the 1960s, the airport faced challenges due to limited runway capacity and strong competition from Brussels Airport. Despite these challenges, Delta Air Transport started flying the Antwerp-Amsterdam route for KLM in 1967.

In the late 2010s, Antwerp Airport experienced some changes in its operations and airlines. VLM Airlines, which had been operating from the airport since the end of 2014, declared bankruptcy in 2016 due to contract cancellations. As a result, their routes were taken over by other airlines, and Air Antwerp was created, offering thrice-daily services to London City Airport starting in September 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of this route in May 2021, followed by the shutdown of Air Antwerp in June 2021.

Today, Antwerp International Airport continues to serve passengers and offers flights to various destinations. It is home to several flying schools, aircraft maintenance and repair workshops, operators of business jets, and private aircraft hangars. The airport is owned by the French group Egis and has a LEM-LOM management structure, with Egis responsible for commercial exploitation and the Flemish government overseeing basic infrastructure.

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Airlines that operate from Antwerp Airport

Antwerp International Airport, also known as Antwerp Airport, is a small airport located 2.9 nautical miles (or 5.4 km) south of Antwerp, Belgium. The airport caters to scheduled and charter flights, as well as business and general aviation. While the airport has seen several airlines operate from it over the years, here is a list of some of the airlines that have offered services from Antwerp Airport:

TUI Fly

TUI Fly is a prominent airline operating at Antwerp Airport, connecting eight airports to the destination. They are currently the only airline offering non-stop flights from the Middle East to Antwerp. Additionally, TUI Fly provides seasonal direct flights to and from various destinations, including Antalya in Turkey, Heraklion in Greece, and Alicante, Ibiza, Málaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife in Spain.

Sky Alps

Sky Alps is the second-biggest airline in terms of operated flight routes to Antwerp. They offer seasonal direct flights between Bolzano, Italy, and Antwerp, which typically operate from April to October.

Danish Air Transport

Following the bankruptcy of VLM Airlines in June 2016, Danish Air Transport took over the operations of the route between London City Airport and Antwerp.

Chalair Aviation

Chalair Aviation assumed control of the route between Antwerp and Hamburg after VLM Airlines' demise but has since discontinued this service.

It is worth noting that Antwerp Airport is surrounded by larger international airports, such as Brussels Airport and Eindhoven Airport, which offer additional travel options for passengers.

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Passenger facilities at the airport

Antwerp International Airport is a small airport located 5.4 km south of Antwerp, Belgium. The airport mainly serves short-haul and regional flights, and its facilities are simple and straightforward. Passengers appreciate the convenience and calm atmosphere, especially those who prefer smaller airports to larger, more crowded ones.

The airport has a small passenger terminal with basic facilities, including service desks, a small bar/coffee shop in the entrance hall and at the gate, and a bar/restaurant with a terrace. There are also ten stands for smaller airliners on the apron. The airport's short runway length of just over 1,500 m means that only aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757 can operate there.

While the shopping and dining options at the airport are limited, this is not a major issue for most travellers due to the short-haul nature of the flights. There is a small café and bar where passengers can purchase drinks and snacks. The airport is also known for being clean and well-maintained, and passengers often mention that the facilities are adequate for the airport's size and purpose.

In addition to the dining options, the airport provides a range of other services, including aircraft maintenance and rental, car rental, charter flights, guided tours, security, and a travel agent. There is also a museum, the Stampe en Vertongen Museum, located at the airport. The airport is home to several flying schools, aircraft maintenance and repair workshops, and operators of business jets.

Passengers have generally positive experiences at Antwerp International Airport, especially those who enjoy the convenience and charm of smaller airports. The ease of navigation, quick processing times, and relaxed atmosphere are often mentioned as benefits.

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The airport's runway and aircraft size

Antwerp International Airport, also known as Antwerp Airport, is a small international airport located 2.9 nautical miles (5.4 km; 3.3 mi) south of Antwerp, Belgium. The airport has two runways, with a maximum length of just over 1,500 m (4,900 ft). Due to its short runway length, only smaller aircraft, such as the Fokker 50, can operate at the airport. Aircraft larger than the Boeing 757 are not able to take off or land at the airport.

The airport has a rich history, with the first flying events taking place at the Wilrijkse Plein before a proper airport was constructed in 1921. The airport was officially opened on May 23, 1923, and the first stone was laid by the Minister of Railway Transport, Maurice Lippens, in 1929. During World War II, the airport was used by the Luftwaffe and served the nearby Erla aircraft factory. In the early 1950s, new airlines began operating at the airport, and it served as an alternative to the Brussels Airport. However, the airport faced limited runway capacity and strong competition from Brussels Airport.

Over the years, various airlines have offered scheduled and seasonal flights at Antwerp Airport, including Sabena, DAT, Connectair, Hamburg Airlines, Air Europe Express, and Baltic Air Express. The airport was also home to VLM Airlines, which operated flights to Hamburg and London City Airport. However, VLM Airlines ceased operations in 2018. In 2019, Air Antwerp announced a thrice-daily service to London City Airport, but this route was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Antwerp Airport is home to several flying schools, aircraft maintenance and repair workshops, operators of business jets, and hangars for private aircraft. The Stampe en Vertongen Museum, located at the airport, celebrates the history of aviation in Antwerp. The airport is easily accessible, with excellent motorway links and regular bus services to the nearby Antwerpen-Berchem railway station.

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The airport's ownership and management

Antwerp International Airport, also known as Antwerp Airport, is a small airport located 2.9 nautical miles (5.4 km) south of Antwerp, Belgium. The airport is used for scheduled and charter flights, as well as business and general aviation. It served 239,517 passengers in 2022.

The airport was operated by the Department of Mobility and Public Works of the Flemish Government, which made a 25-year agreement with the French engineering group Egis Group to operate it starting in 2014. The Egis Group is a French company that operates and maintains airports, roads, and other infrastructure. The group has a presence in over 100 countries and employs over 16,000 people worldwide. The company has a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, and it has been involved in a number of high-profile infrastructure projects around the world.

The Flemish Government is the executive power in Flanders, one of Belgium's three regions, and is responsible for a range of matters including mobility and public works. The Department of Mobility and Public Works is responsible for a range of transport and infrastructure matters, including roads, waterways, and airports. The Department is headed by the Flemish Minister for Mobility, who is currently Lydia Peeters.

The airport has a rich history, with the first flying events taking place at the Wilrijkse Plein in 1921. Work on a proper airport for the city started that year, driven by pioneer aviator Jan Olieslagers and others. The national airline Sabena operated passenger services from 1924 from an old railway carriage as the only passenger infrastructure. In 1929, the first stone of the project was laid by the Minister of Railway Transport, Maurice Lippens. The airport was home to the aircraft factory Stampe et Vertongen until its demise after World War II. During the war, the airport was used by the Luftwaffe and also served the nearby Erla aircraft factory.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there is an international airport in Antwerp, Belgium.

Antwerp International Airport is located 2.9 nautical miles (5.4 km; 3.3 mi) south of Antwerp.

The airport is home to several flying schools, aircraft maintenance and repair workshops, operators of business jets, and private aircraft hangars. Airlines such as Jetairfly (now TUI fly), Sabena, DAT, and VLM have operated from the airport.

Antwerp Airport served 239,517 passengers in 2022, and 306,330 passengers in 2019.

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