The NSAC (North Sea Aviation Center), under the leadership of Jef De Kinder and Erik Vermeersch, opened the doors of its brand-new business terminal at Flanders International Airport Ostend-Bruges today on May 27. A full-service concept will be presented to all general aviation customers at the airport, for both private and business flights. The business terminal has a surface area of 857 m² and has all facilities from a VIP lounge to office spaces.
A calculated investment
The business terminal was created as a result of the increasing demand and therefore the increasing number of private jets landing at Ostend-Bruges Airport. These private flights account for 5 to 10% of the revenue.
Erik Vermeersch said: “The big advantage is that we can certainly generate business here. The intention is to bring more large private jets to the airport. The operational capacities of the airport on one hand and the new NSAC facilities, on the other hand, are important assets in this context, which we will certainly use on international trade fairs and with our direct contacts with the operators. We aim for approximately 1,500 movements a year and will promote both the airport and the NSAC in a very targeted manner.”
Of the approximately 24,000 movements, 6% is currently business aviation. This number is still rather modest at the moment, but because of the new infrastructure, this will undoubtedly lead to a growing potential.
Marcel Buelens, CEO of Ostend-Bruges Airport, said: “Business Aviation is the third element in the development plan for our airport, together with passenger activities and air-cargo/logistics and e-commerce distribution. With NSAC, we will soon bring business travellers the speed, the comfort and the discretion they need. Until now, our VIPs and private and business flights activities were located in our general terminal, which was not ideal. This is now going to change drastically and hopefully, all activities will bring extra jobs to our airport and the region through NSAC. Furthermore, NSAC will provide customs and border police with a permanent place. We are looking forward to good cooperation and will continue to promote our airport together with NSAC.”
Activities
Some of the services that NSAC will offer in the new business terminal are ground handling for all private and business flights up to 45.5 tonnes, maintenance of aircraft and helicopters in cooperation with Gill Aviation. NSAC will also be responsible for the catering on board, they will offer medical examinations for pilots and there is a VIP lounge in the new business terminal. It will also be possible to reserve limousines, cars, bicycles, etc…
Furthermore, they will provide advice and support in the sale of aircraft and helicopters. In short, a full-service package as the icing on the cake for all their customers!
The exclusive opening of NSAC will take place on October 10 2019. It will be reserved exclusively for the press and the NSAC customers. Further information will follow later on.
Ostend, Monday, May 27 2019
