Beerse Airfield

The primary reason for the closure was the non-renewal of its environmental and operating permit by the provincial government of Antwerp. This decision was driven by several factors: the airfield's location within the 'Visbeekvallei' (Visbeek Valley), a protected Natura 2000 nature reserve; long-standing noise complaints from local residents; and a political decision that prioritized environmental conservation over the continuation of aviation activities at that specific site.

The site has been completely decommissioned and returned to nature. It is now fully integrated into the Visbeek Valley nature reserve, part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The former runway and airfield grounds have been converted into meadows and natural habitats. All aviation-related infrastructure, including hangars and the clubhouse, has been removed. The area is now used for public recreation, such as hiking and nature observation.

Beerse Airfield was a private airfield primarily used for recreational aviation. It was the home base of the 'Aero Club der Kempen' and served as a significant local hub for ultralight (ULM/DPM) and sport aircraft enthusiasts for several decades. The airfield consisted of a single grass runway (approximately 03/21) and basic facilities like a hangar and a clubhouse. It played an important role in the local general aviation community, providing a base for flight training and recreational flying in the Kempen region of Belgium.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Beerse Airfield. Given that the land is now a designated and protected nature reserve under the stringent Natura 2000 regulations, a return to aviation use is considered extremely unlikely. The legal and environmental hurdles to reverse its current status would be insurmountable.