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Ostend–Bruges International Airport, commonly known as Ostend Airport, is the closest airport to Bruges, Belgium. It is located 25 km (16 mi) from central Bruges and is increasingly used for passenger flights, mainly charter and holiday flights. Other airports near Bruges include Brussels Airport, Brussels South Charleroi Airport, and Lille Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ostend-Bruges International Airport |
| IATA | OST |
| ICAO | EBOS |
| Location | 2.7 nautical miles (5.0 km; 3.1 mi) south-southwest of Ostend, Belgium |
| Distance from Bruges | 25 km (16 mi) |
| Area | 350 hectares (860 acres) |
| Runway length | 3,200 metres (10,500 ft) |
| Focus | Freight transport |
| Other uses | Passenger flights, private business flights |
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What You'll Learn
Ostend-Bruges International Airport exists
During the Second World War, the Luftwaffe moved the airfield of Ostend-Stene to a site in the territory of the municipality of Middelkerke, five kilometres southwest of Ostend. It played a major role in the air battle with Britain. The airport has been the site of several aircraft crashes, including a Junkers Ju 52/3m of the Belgian airline Sabena in 1937, an Ilyushin Il-76 in 2001, and a Jordanian stunt pilot's plane during an airshow in 1997.
As of 2010, a Douglas DC-3C LX-DKT of Legend Air, which was damaged beyond repair in a storm in 1992, was still at the airport. Ostend-Bruges International Airport is the nearest major airport to Bruges, with other nearby options including Antwerp International Airport, Brussels Airport, and Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
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It's 25km from central Bruges
Bruges, Belgium, is served by several airports in the region. The closest major airport is Ostend-Bruges International Airport, located about 25km (16 miles) from the centre of Bruges. The airport is situated 2.7 nautical miles (5km or 3.1 miles) south-southwest of Ostend, Belgium, and is near the coast. Ostend-Bruges International Airport covers about 350 hectares (860 acres) of land and has one 3,200-metre (10,500-foot) runway. While freight transport is a significant portion of its operations, the airport is seeing increased use for passenger flights, primarily charter and holiday flights arranged by tour operators. It is also a popular choice for private business flights.
The airport has a storied history, dating back to World War II when the Luftwaffe relocated the airfield of Ostend-Stene to a site in the municipality of Middelkerke, just five kilometres southwest of Ostend. This airfield played a pivotal role in the air battle with Britain. Notable incidents at Ostend-Bruges International Airport include the crash of a Belgian airline, Sabena, in 1937 due to inclement weather, resulting in the deaths of all 11 passengers and crew. In 1992, a Douglas DC-3C aircraft was damaged beyond repair during a storm, and in 1997, a Jordanian stunt pilot lost his life at an airshow when he lost control of his plane, crashing at the end of the runway.
While Ostend-Bruges International Airport is the closest option, other airports in the region serve travellers heading to Bruges. Brussels Airport is approximately 111km (69 miles) from Bruges, and Brussels South Charleroi Airport is about 151km (94 miles) away. For those arriving from France, Lille Airport is 85km (53 miles) from Bruges. These airports offer alternative entry points to the region, providing flexibility for travellers.
When planning a trip to Bruges, it is essential to consider not only the distance to the airport but also the available transportation options. While some airports, like Brussels, offer direct train connections to Bruges, others, like Charleroi, provide shuttle services. It is worth researching the travel time and convenience of these options to determine the best airport for your journey.
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It's used for freight, passenger, and private business flights
Ostend–Bruges International Airport, commonly known as Ostend Airport, is located 25 km from central Bruges, Belgium. The airport covers 350 hectares of land and has a 3,200-metre runway.
The airport is used for freight, passenger, and private business flights. While freight transport is a large proportion of its activities, the airport is increasingly facilitating passenger flights, too. These are mainly charter and holiday flights organised by tour operators. The airport is also often used for private business flights.
The airport has a history of crashes and accidents. In 1937, a Junkers Ju 52/3m of the Belgian airline Sabena crashed on approach due to bad weather, killing all 11 passengers and crew. In 1992, a Douglas DC-3C LX-DKT of Legend Air was damaged beyond repair when it was blown into a Boeing 707 during a storm. In 1997, a Jordanian stunt pilot was killed when he lost control of his plane during an airshow at the airport. Eight people were killed and forty were injured. In 1998, an IAT Boeing 707 crashed within minutes of take-off, although there were no deaths. In 2001, an Ilyushin Il-76 overran the runway after an aborted take-off and was scrapped two years later.
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There are other airport options for flying into Bruges
While Ostend-Bruges International Airport is the closest airport to Bruges, there are other airport options for flying into the city. These include:
Brussels Bruxelles-National Airport
Brussels Airport is located about 68 miles (approximately 110km) from Bruges, and is a popular option for those travelling to the city. Airlines offering direct flights to this airport from the UK include British Airways, Brussels Airlines, and easyJet. From the USA, airlines offering direct flights include Brussels Airlines, Delta, Jet Airways, and United. There are direct trains from the airport to Bruges, which take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and cost approximately €16.40 per person.
Antwerp Deurne Airport
Antwerp Airport is about 53.47 miles (86 km) from Bruges. From the airport, you can take a 1 hour and 45-minute train journey to Bruges.
Lille Lesquin Airport
This airport is 44.62 miles (71.8 km) from Bruges.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport
This airport is the furthest from Bruges, at 73.2 miles (117.8 km).
In addition to these airports, it is also possible to take the Eurostar to Brussels and then take a local train to Bruges. This journey can be purchased on the same ticket, for less than £70 per person.
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The airport has a history of crashes and fatalities
Ostend–Bruges International Airport, located 2.7 nautical miles south-southwest of Ostend, Belgium, has a history of crashes and fatalities. While air travel is considered one of the safest modes of transportation, the airport has experienced several incidents over the years, some of which have resulted in tragic losses.
One of the earliest recorded accidents at the airport occurred on November 16, 1937, when a Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft of the Belgian airline Sabena crashed due to bad weather conditions. The plane collided with a chimney in Stene, resulting in the tragic loss of all 11 passengers and crew on board. This incident highlighted the dangers of navigating through challenging weather conditions and the subsequent impact on aircraft safety.
Decades later, on July 26, 1997, during an airshow at the airport, a devastating incident occurred. Captain Omar Hani Bilal, a Jordanian stunt pilot from the Royal Jordanian Air Force display team, lost control of his Walter Extra EA300s aircraft. The plane crashed at the end of the runway, erupting into flames near a Red Cross tent and spectator stands. This incident not only took the life of Captain Bilal but also resulted in eight fatalities and forty injuries among the spectators on the ground.
The airport has also experienced several other incidents, including runway overruns and aircraft damage. On April 18, 2001, an Ilyushin Il-76 overshot the runway during a take-off attempt and ended up stuck in the grass. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in this incident, but the aircraft was scrapped two years later due to the damage sustained.
While the aforementioned incidents specifically mention Ostend–Bruges International Airport, it is worth noting that aviation accidents and fatalities are an unfortunate reality across the globe. Despite the remarkable safety record of commercial aviation, accidents and crashes do occur, and each incident provides an opportunity to learn and improve safety measures.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is an airport in Bruges, Belgium. Ostend-Bruges International Airport is located 2.7 nautical miles (5.0 km; 3.1 mi) south-southwest of Ostend, Belgium, and about 25 km (16 mi) from central Bruges.
Other airports near Bruges include Antwerp International Airport (97 km away), Brussels Airport (111 km away), Brussels South Charleroi Airport (151 km away), and Lille Airport (85 km away).
Belgian airline Sabena and Legend Air are two airlines that have flown into Ostend-Bruges International Airport.
