Skywings Flight Training, the Antwerp-based pilot academy that trains cadets directly for Brussels Airlines, has decided to permanently relocate all touch-and-go operations to Spain. The move follows restrictions imposed at Antwerp Airport (Deurne) last summer, when the airport approached the maximum number of annual training flights allowed under its environmental permit.
In July, Antwerp Airport issued a notice to pilots stating that touch-and-go manoeuvres were suspended until 31 December, citing environmental constraints. The airport is limited to 16,000 training flight movements per year, and by mid-summer 13,000 had already been logged.
“Rather than risking the same bottleneck next summer, we decided to move all touch-and-go flights to Spain,” explained Pieter Brantegem, CEO of Skywings Flight Training. “This also creates more room for other flight schools at Antwerp Airport, especially the Royal Antwerp Aviation Club (RAAC), which does not have the option to train abroad.”
The academy’s future pilots will now spend three to five months in Spain, where they will continue the same curriculum they would otherwise complete in Belgium. According to Brantegem, students generally welcome the temporary relocation as “an adventure”, and the cost of accommodation and transport is included in their tuition, which remains unchanged.
Skywings will continue to operate in Deurne for all other phases of pilot training. “We remain the only academy delivering pilots directly to Brussels Airlines, and the airport of Deurne is essential for us,” Brantegem emphasised.
Antwerp Airport expressed regret over the relocation of part of the training activity.
“We deplore that the limitations in our environmental permit have forced part of this training – and the associated jobs – to move abroad,” said airport spokesperson Tom Rutsaert. However, he added that the move should prevent future restrictions for other operators.
The airport does not intend to request changes to its environmental permit. “At this stage, that no longer seems necessary,” Rutsaert said.
Skywings expects the impact on employment in Antwerp to remain limited, estimating that around three instructor positions may disappear.
Sources:
- ATV – Antwerpse Televisie
- Gazet van Antwerpen (GVA)
- VRT NWS