The Belgian government is considering transferring charter operations from Brussels International airport to reduce passenger flight night-time movements and provide scope to meet the expansion demands of its main operator DHL, writes Herman de Wulf.
The express package operator wants to have the ability to increase its annual movements from 16,000 to a guaranteed minimum of 30,000. Otherwise it will have to relocate, probably to Germany (Flight International, 6-12 January). The current cap stands at 25,000 movements, 20,000 of which are being used - 16,000 by DHL and the rest by charter carriers.
The only local airport in the country capable of handling large numbers of charter passengers is Brussels South Charleroi airport, where Ryanair has its major continental European hub. Another alternative would be the former Belgian air force base at Chièvres, which has plenty of space to expand, and good road and rail connections to Brussels and Paris.
The proposal to relocate charter flights to a regional airport has already met opposition, with Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium fighting the plan as operating from a regional airport would increase costs.
Source: Flight International