Héron-Couthuin Ultralight Airfield

Regulatory and local opposition. The primary reason for closure was the expiration of the airfield's operating permit. The subsequent application for renewal faced a complex administrative process and significant opposition from a group of local residents who raised concerns about noise pollution. The failure to secure a new permit forced the cessation of all flight activities.

The airfield is closed and inactive. The site remains physically intact, with satellite imagery showing the grass runway and a hangar still present and the grounds appearing maintained. However, it is no longer used for any aviation activities. The land has reverted to private use, with no new construction or alternative commercial/industrial development having taken place on the former runway.

Héron-Couthuin was a private ultralight (ULM) airfield that played a key role in the local recreational aviation scene in the Hesbaye region of Wallonia. Operated by aviator Jean-Marie Lafontaine, it served as a home base for approximately a dozen ultralight aircraft. The airfield was a hub for private pilots, offering facilities for recreational flights, ULM storage, and likely some flight training. Its significance was rooted in its contribution to the general aviation community, providing essential infrastructure for enthusiasts in an area with few such facilities.

Prospects for reopening are very low to non-existent. The permit renewal application in 2018 was ultimately unsuccessful. There have been no public reports, new permit applications, or official plans announced since then to indicate any effort to revive the airfield. Given the previous local opposition, overcoming the regulatory and community hurdles required to reopen would be extremely challenging.