Ostend-Bruges Airport is preparing for a new era, without forgetting what is really important: passenger safety and a more sustainable future.
If you have included Ostend-Bruges in your travel plans as your next flight destination, you will have to be patient. The airport will temporarily close its doors from January 25 to March 27, 2024 for a much-needed renovation of the runway. Bruno De Saegher, chairman of the Flanders Airport Development Company (LOM), says that the purpose of the renovation is to ensure safe air traffic in the future and to maintain the operational status of the runway.
The current runway of the airport, with a length of 3.200 meters and a width of 45 meters, dates back to the 90s and shows signs of wear and local subsidence. In addition to this renovation, work is also being done on widening some taxiways, installing sustainable LED lighting to replace the outdated halogen lighting and upgrading the sewerage and drainage.
It is notable that the renovation also offers options for the B747-400 and B777-300ER aircraft to turn counterclockwise with a larger turning circle. This results in less engine power and therefore less noise and emissions. The adjustments are not only good for the environment but are also a requirement to comply with EASA regulations, the European standards for aviation safety.
In addition to replacing worn asphalt and repairing subsidence, there is a clear shift towards environmentally friendly options. The new LED lighting is not only more economical, but also has a longer lifespan than current halogen lamps. These subtle but important changes indicate an airport that is actively considering its environmental footprint.
Although the renovation seems drastic, an environmental permit is not necessary. Most work falls under the Exemption Decree and only relates to the renovation of existing infrastructure, without impact on the environment. However, a permit must be applied for to tackle some watercourses on the airport grounds. LOM Flanders is already making the necessary preparations.
LOM Flanders emphasizes that there will be no capacity increase after the renovation. The current environmental permits and the types of aircraft that can use the airport remain unchanged. In other words, the airport is modernizing to keep up, not to expand.
