Flanders Boosts Airport Cooperation, Simplifies Permits, and Expands Elderly Care

The Flemish government has approved a series of measures aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, streamlining administrative processes, and adapting social policies. A key decision involves fostering greater collaboration among Flanders' four regional airports, with the goal of making them more self-sufficient and less reliant on operational funding. The government has revised the operational framework, concession, and subsidy agreements to support this objective.

"I am delighted that we have established a future-oriented and sustainable framework for our regional airports," stated Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder. "We are increasing cooperation between the four Flemish airports and focusing on efficiency gains and reduced operational costs." This initiative seeks to enable the airports to concentrate on sustainable and future-oriented growth.

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I am delighted that we have established a future-oriented and sustainable framework for our regional airports. We are increasing cooperation between the four Flemish airports and focusing on efficiency gains and reduced operational costs.

In addition to airport initiatives, the government has greenlit measures to make permit application procedures more robust, simpler, and faster. This includes eliminating redundant subdivision procedures and updating outdated building regulations. Flemish Minister of Environment Jo Brouns explained, "Too many projects are currently delayed by rules that were once well-intentioned but are no longer adapted to today's reality. With these decrees, we are clearing away old obstacles."

Event organizers will also benefit from clearer and quicker permit decisions. Furthermore, applicants will now have the right to pre-consultation, allowing concerns to be identified and resolved earlier in the process. The government is also investing an additional 40.4 million euros in new residential care places, with a significant portion allocated to short-stay facilities. This aims to enable the elderly to remain at home longer and provide more respite for informal caregivers, creating 551 new short-stay places and realizing 131 previously planned ones.

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Too many projects are currently delayed by rules that were once well-intentioned but are no longer adapted to today's reality. With these decrees, we are clearing away old obstacles.