The Ostend-Bruges Airport and Antwerp Airport are expecting around 160,000 passengers in the coming summer holiday period. The airport claims that this figure is in line with the last summer passenger figure.
Commenting on the recovery, Airport Chief Executive Eric Dumas said: “Regional airports are gaining more and more popularity. Passengers here travel without stress and do not have to be there three hours in advance. For many, this is a decisive factor in choosing a regional departure.”
Ostend-Bruges airport is expecting 90,000 passengers to cross the airport gates in July and August with a choice of 13 Spanish, Greek and Turkish destinations with thrice weekly flights to Antalya.
The top 3 summer destinations from Ostend are Alicante, Malaga and Tenerife.
Antwerp Airport expects 70,000 passengers in July and August and hopes to surpass the pre-pandemic levels.
Travellers can choose from 12 destinations in Spain, Greece, Morocco, Turkey, Croatia and the United Kingdom this summer. With TUI’s new aircraft, the airline is offering more destinations like Tenerife, Crete and Antalya for the first time from Antwerp.
Apart from TUI, ASL Fly Executive and Luxair will also operate flights from Antwerp this summer. ASL will offer twice weekly services to Ibiza between June 30 and August 21 and Luxair will fly four times a week throughout the summer vacation to London City airport.
“Due to the congestion at major airports, travelers are increasingly choosing a regional departure. Our airports do not face staff shortage and passengers do not have to arrive at the airport three hours in advance. In addition, the short walking distances and quick walkthrough times are decisive factors for many passengers to choose our airports,” concluded Dumas.