Belgium's government has awarded French engineering group Egis a concession contract to manage two of the main airports in Belgium. Egis will provide operations for Ostend-Bruges International Airport and Antwerp International Airport for a 25-year term.

Egis and the Government of Belgium now have a six-month transition period during which to make final arrangements for the transfer of both responsibilities and staff to the two Egis subsidiaries set up for the purpose: LEM Oostend-Brugge, and LEM-Antwerpen.

These LEMs will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the platforms and for the upkeep of part of their facilities.

The maintenance and development of infrastructure including runways, taxiways and airport access roads, will continue to be carried out by the region via public airport development companies that are currently being formed.

The concessionaire companies will be responsible for commercial development in order to deliver the revenue needed to fund the €7 million investment programme planned by Egis for these two platforms.