Ostend-Bruges International Airport

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Ostend-Bruges International Airport

IATA: OST - ICAO: EBOS
Summary
Airport type		public
Operator		Flemish Government
Serves		Ostend
Elevation AMSL		13 ft (4 m)
Coordinates		51°11′59″N, 02°51′49″E
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
08/26	10,499	3,200	Asphalt

Ostend-Bruges International Airport (commonly: Ostend Airport) is located in Ostend, Belgium, near the coast. Although an important proportion of the activities focuses on freight transport, it is increasingly used for passenger flights, mainly charter and holiday flights for tour operators. It is also often used for private business flights.

The European base for Ghanese cargo airline MK Airlines is also situated at this airport.

[edit] History

During World War II The German occupier moved the airfield of Ostend-Stene to a site in the territory of the municipality of Middelkerke, five kilometres southwest of Ostend. It played a major role in the air battle with England. After the Second World War the airport of Raversijde-Middelkerke was turned into an international airport by the Department of Airways which had been established by that time.

In 1992 the regional Flemish airports was transferred to the Flemish Community by the Airways Department.

On 1 May 2003, Ryanair started a new line between Ostend and London-Stansted. The airport was given a new name: “International Airport Ostend-Bruges”. However, the line stopped operating in December 2003.^[1]