Antwerp Deurne Airport, operated by the Airport Exploitation Company (LEM) and the airport development company of the Flemish Region (LOM), is back in court as some action groups claim the airport illegally extended its runway almost a decade ago. At the end of the day, the airport was acquitted.
The expansion involved creating a Runway Safety Area (RSA), leading to legal disputes and objections from municipalities and environmental groups. Despite a previous ruling in favour of the airport, the case resurfaced, with potential consequences including a hefty fine.
The airport argues that the environmental impact is minimal and accuses opponents of pursuing an agenda to close the airport.
On February 23, Antwerp Airport was acquitted in the case surrounding the alleged illegal expansion of the runway on agricultural land. The court declared the criminal action unfounded. The claims of Bond Beter Leefmilieu, the city of Mortsel and the municipality of Borsbeek were rejected.
