The Flemish government has reached an agreement on the future of its regional airports, significantly reducing public subsidies while ruling out airport closures.
Under the new funding plan for 2025–2029, Antwerp Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport will see government support cut by 26.8%, from €131 million in 2020–2024 to almost €96 million. Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport will receive 5.7% less, with funding falling from €11.1 million to €10.5 million.
The agreement fulfils the Flemish coalition’s commitment to make regional airports more efficient and less dependent on public funding. Minister-President Matthias Diependaele said the deal secures a “sustainable future” for the airports, while Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder said it establishes a forward-looking framework focused on greater cooperation between the four Flemish regional airports, lower operating costs, and closer collaboration with Brussels Airport.
Although the full details of the agreement have yet to be published, the funding reductions mark a significant shift towards improving the financial sustainability of Flanders’ regional airport network.