Editor’s Note
Belgium’s record passenger traffic in 2025, highlighted by a 15.2% year-on-year increase, signals a significant boost for tourism in Antwerp. This growth enhances access for visitors drawn to the city’s unique blend of culture, commerce, and fashion.
Belgium achieved excellent results in 2025 by serving 240,541 passengers, an increase of 15.2% compared to the previous year. This rise strengthens tourism in Antwerp, the dynamic diamond capital and port city, by facilitating access for business and leisure travelers eager to explore its cultural sites and fashion scene. The increase in passenger numbers directly and positively impacts tourism, filling hotels and energizing events like the Antwerp Art Weekend thanks to reliable regional connectivity.
Summer peaks contributed significantly, aligning with Antwerp’s festival season which attracts many European visitors. The airport’s proximity to the city center, just fifteen minutes away, makes it an ideal location for short-haul flights, reducing travel stress and encouraging more trips to Antwerp’s historic center and modern waterfront. Stable operations ensure tourism momentum, positioning Antwerp Airport as a preferred gateway compared to larger hubs.
Aircraft movements remained stable at around thirty-three thousand in 2025, supporting diverse activities. Approximately sixteen thousand training movements highlight the airport’s role as a key training center for pilots, with facilities that attract flight schools and bolster Antwerp’s reputation in the aerospace sector and tourism niches like flight experiences. These operations indirectly benefit broader tourism sectors by maintaining infrastructure capable of handling seasonal leisure traffic peaks without congestion.
Business aviation saw more than five thousand two hundred movements, catering to executives visiting Antwerp for trade fairs and business hubs. This stability impacts tourism by freeing up capacity for commercial flights, ensuring smooth access for families and groups to Antwerp’s attractions like the Rubens House and the MAS museum. Consistent performance strengthens traveler confidence, which is essential for year-round tourism growth in Antwerp.
Antwerp Airport reversed a loss of six hundred fifty-eight thousand euros in 2024 to a positive operating result of 492,000 euros in 2025, thanks to stricter cost control and streamlined operations under renewed leadership. Final accounts will be published in June 2026, but early indicators point to sound financial health. This recovery frees up funds for tourism-targeted improvements, such as better passenger lounges, directly enhancing the visitor experience in Antwerp.
Improved efficiency reduces delays, an asset for tourism as on-time arrivals allow more time for exploring Antwerp’s chocolate shop and zoo visits. Financial strength enables marketing campaigns that amplify Tourism in Antwerp, attracting international crowds to its riverfront promenades and markets.
Antwerp Airport prioritizes diversified and environmentally friendly expansion, strengthening its key sectors while exploring new areas. It positions itself as a Regional Air Mobility Hub, targeting electric and hybrid aviation which promise quieter, greener flights that appeal to environmentally conscious tourism visitors passionate about Antwerp. These initiatives impact tourism by pioneering low-emission travel, attracting eco-conscious travelers to Belgium’s greenest urban destinations.
Investments in sustainable energy, like solar panels, align with broader goals, enabling long-term cost reduction. A Drone Innovation Hub fosters technology and tourism, organizing demonstrations and conferences that highlight Antwerp’s cutting-edge innovation. Exploring commercial concessions and alternative fuels prepares for Urban Air Mobility, which could revolutionize short stays in Antwerp’s outskirts and enhance day-trip tourism.
With approximately sixteen thousand training flights, the airport solidifies its status as a premier aviation training center, contributing to the local economy and supporting specialized tourism segments.
