Bruges wants a low cost carrier

[Airbus330lover]

They are working on that already, with the 'diabolo' project. It will connect the airport railway station directly with Brussels, Antwerp and Leuven.

Sorry but Belgium is not only Brussels, antwerp and Leuven. the planned coonections covers only 2 directions. No easy to go to Brugge, Namur, Charleroi (CRL of course!) ....
Short view and no long term planning

[itami]

I think that the tourist authorities of Bruges must target the "new" exporters of tourists, countries like Russia, India, and China.

Absolutely correct ! Moreover, what is necessary for Bruges is also valid for the other major Belgian tourist places. So this country should be more creative and fanatic at promoting itself in the new and existing 'tourist markets' combined with attracting more long haul flights to Zaventem. The loss of good spending Japanese tourists since the suspension of the direct connection with TYO in 2001 is indeed a good example.

[Air2D2]

Various points of view :

- Lots of tourists from the neighbouring countries come to Bruges by car.
- Correct, a better overland (train) connection would enhance interest for Bruges.
- Long distance travellers (Asian, American, South-American) fly into Brussels. For them the journey Brussels-Bruges often is not (much) more than a subway trip in their hometown.
- As long as Bruges is appealing as a tourist attraction, it has all the assets to attract tourists (= promotion)
- As far as Spanish tourists for Bruges are concerned : yes, they are an important market for Bruges. And this is - I think - why for example the people of Jetairfly promote their flights from Spanish airports to "Ostende - Brujas" on their Spanish website : http://www.jetairfly.com/es/index.php. Maybe the concerned tourist authorities of Bruges should have a talk with them to join forces in promoting their medieval city.

[foxtrot_lima_yankee]

Brussels airport doesn t seem to me to be as efficient as it once was.aro

I think that the Belgian airport that hides the most potential in European market is Antwerp:
-An interesting expansion plan is being studied actually to enable greater airplanes to land safely.
-Antwerp stations s railway network will get a High-speed train connection with neighbouring countries including Eurostar as soon as the new Central Station will be fully operational.(which means VLM will have to fight hard to survive and keep its routes to London)
-Potential constructions of a railway station in the airport area with direct connection to Brussels or Antwerp is possible thanks to strategical position.
-Near from Antwerpen-Berchem station which means easy connections to Gent, Brugge, Oostende, Genk, Amsterdam, Rotterdam.
-Less complaints about noise restrictions.
-Airport infrastructures: shorter turn-around times than EBBR
-Easy to reach by car via exit Wommelgem (if they manage to build a road or tunnel leading directly to the airport.)

Problems:
-EcOloGiCaL problems faced, certain mushroom sorts are in danger...
-Politics delay "big" decisions ( They should have organised a referendum in Antwerp: "New justitie Paleis or immediate Airport expansion?". But they didn t, which means they spoiled a lot of money for a huge and pretty building, forgetting that the real money is in the aviation sector.)

[foxtrot_lima_yankee]

Great airport means many jobs means less disoccupancy means less social problems means less crimes and conflicts means a safe Antwerp

[Acid-drop]

foxtrot_lima_yankee,

all you say is right also for liege airport, exept that there is already a new terminal, a long track and it's not in a rural area. So it's even better

But yeah, liege is 2hours away from brugges, so its a bit too far