Maldegem Airfield

The closure was the result of a long-standing dispute over noise pollution. The provincial government of East Flanders refused to renew the airfield's environmental permit (milieuvergunning) due to persistent complaints from local residents and neighborhood groups. The operator, Vliegclub Maldegem, fought this decision in court, but their final appeal was rejected by the Council of State (Raad van State), Belgium's highest administrative court. The reason was therefore primarily legal and environmental, driven by local political pressure.

The site is no longer an airfield and has been completely redeveloped for industrial use. After the final legal decision, the land was sold to neighboring companies in the Maldegem industrial park. The former runway and airfield grounds have been absorbed by this industrial zone. Satellite imagery and local reports confirm the area is now occupied by industrial buildings, storage yards, and commercial facilities, with no trace of the runway remaining. The trailer manufacturer 'Stas' is one of the companies that expanded onto the former airfield's land.

Maldegem Airfield was a private, recreational airfield dedicated to general aviation, with a specific focus on ultralight (ULM/microlight) aircraft. It was the home base of the 'Vliegclub Maldegem' (Maldegem Flying Club). For many years, it served as a popular and important hub for recreational pilots and flight training in the region. The airfield consisted of a single grass runway and was a well-known site within the Belgian ultralight community.

There are zero prospects for the airfield to reopen. The combination of a final and binding legal ruling against its operation, strong local opposition, and the complete industrial redevelopment of the land makes any return to aviation activities impossible. The physical infrastructure has been permanently removed and the land has been repurposed.