Antwerp International Airport, located in Deurne, continues to face financial difficulties and political scrutiny, yet its management is pursuing a bold strategy to transform the airport into a profitable regional hub.

In 2024, Antwerp Airport reported a net loss of €658,000, bringing accumulated deficits to €2.3 million. These losses occurred despite receiving €5.4 million in operating subsidies and compensatory payments from the Flemish Government.

Since taking the helm in mid-June 2025, CEO Nathan De Valck has acknowledged the airport’s financial challenges but stressed that its cash position is secure and its continuity is not threatened. He emphasised that the airport’s infrastructure has the capacity to handle far more passengers than it currently does, and that significant growth is essential to achieving profitability.

De Valck has outlined a comprehensive strategy to expand Antwerp Airport’s operations over the coming years. Central to his plan is increasing the number of scheduled flights for both leisure and business travellers.

Current connections 

Current connections include TUI Fly flights to destinations such as Spain, Crete in Greece, and Antalya in Turkey, and SkyAlps flights to Bolzano (Bozen) in Italy. 

De Valck intends to broaden the network to new direct destinations, and is exploring connections via other major airports, enabling Deurne passengers to access a wider range of international routes. The focus remains on regular passenger services, rather than private jets, which have been a source of local opposition.

The CEO is confident that attracting significantly more passengers will allow the airport to become structurally profitable. He stated that once the airport is consistently profitable, it can begin to recover past losses. 

Accommodating growth, or not

While operational subsidies from the Flemish Government will continue to support essential services such as fire safety and security in the near term, De Valck sees the long-term goal as achieving self-sufficiency. He also highlighted that discussions with the city and local residents will play a role in determining how much growth can be accommodated.

Despite these ambitions, Antwerp Airport faces political and community challenges. Mortsel Mayor Michiel Hubeau of Groen Vooruit and other local politicians have called for more decisive action against the airport, citing environmental concerns, the growth of private jet traffic, and financial losses.

Flemish parliament member Kris Verduyckt (Vooruit) has suggested halting subsidies, and Hubeau has urged his party to reactivate legal appeals against the airport’s environmental permit.

Nathan De Valck’s growth-focused approach contrasts sharply with local scepticism, positioning him as a central figure in determining Antwerp Airport’s future. 

His strategy combines aggressive expansion of scheduled flights, targeted marketing to attract more passengers, and operational optimisation to reduce losses. 

The success of this vision will depend not only on airline partnerships and passenger demand but also on navigating regulatory approvals and community engagement. The coming years will be decisive in determining whether Antwerp Airport can transform from a loss-making regional airport into a thriving transport hub.

Antwerp International Airport

• Antwerp International Airport sees 20% drop in passengers, 2025 unlikely to be a strong year.
• Antwerp International Airport to be renamed Antwerp City Airport.
• REVIEW | TUIfly Fly Deluxe Málaga to Antwerp.
• VIDEO | Landing at Antwerp International Airport.
• City of Antwerp annexes Borsbeek, which becomes the tenth district on 1 January 2025.
• Air show for 100 years of Antwerp International Airport on 20 & 21 May 2023.
• Borsbeek to become Antwerp’s 10th district.
• Air Antwerp folds.
• Antwerp International Airport to reopen for scheduled flights.