News Release

Flyinggroup invests five million euros in Antwerp HQ

Flyinggroup, the largest business jet company in the Benelux region, has officially opened its new headquarters at Antwerp International Airport in which it has invested more than five million euros. The Belgian company remains confident in the future and expects a rapid revival of the industry. The modern, 100% energy-neutral headquarters and its recently unveiled new corporate identity are the symbols of this.

“Business aviation is an essential element in the success of economic hotspots. The same applies to Antwerp, which is the economic capital of Belgium. Our belief in the future is so strong that today we just inaugurated our brand new, 100% energy-neutral headquarters at Antwerp Airport. Flyinggroup invested around five million euros in the project. More than ever we are ready to receive our customers even better in the most modern and most secure way," says Bernard van Milders, chairman and founder of Flyinggroup.

The new Flyinggroup corporate identity and website were also unveiled at the inauguration. “We are building on our customer-centric DNA. The iconic aircraft, which graced the previous logo for the past 25 years, is pointing its nose towards the future. Everything is aligned with the renewed vision of the future,” says Kristiaan Cloots, director marketing. “Our new baseline, 'Destined to Delight', reflects the essence of Flyinggroup: our passionate commitment to providing our customers with a high-quality service in all aspects of their journey, for both current and future generations of business aviation fans.”

Flyinggroup wants to continue to focus on excellent service and sustainability. The Flyingbubble concept, in which the customer is offered a door-to-door driver service with electric vehicles from home to his or her final destination, is a good example. Continues Cloots: “We have set up a one-point contact procedure for baggage handling, and we monitor the hygiene of our fleet continuously. We want both our corporate and leisure customers to be able to remain operational safely in their bubble while saving time, an essential characteristic of business aviation.

The new Flyinggroup headquarters at Antwerp International Airport are 100% energy neutral. The offices, meeting rooms, and passenger and crew lounge are housed in a sustainable, state-of-the-art construction. The existing buildings were also thoroughly renovated. The most modern construction techniques were used. The new building produces more energy than it actually needs. In addition to the aircraft hangar, there is also a meeting place and event hall that includes a bar and an art gallery.

The roof and the outer façade are covered with 408 solar panels covering a total of almost 700 sqm. A geothermal power plant with 18 geo-energy probes is located 150 metres below the building. This impressive cooling and heating system with huge water tanks that hold about 30,000 litres of rainwater carries heat to and from the underfloor heating and cooling in the building.

For this project, Flyinggroup called on A2D Architects and energy expert engineer Geert De Bruyn. The construction works were carried out by ASK Romein of Malle, Belgium. The limited construction area was a specific challenge because both the Flyinggroup building and the access road to the airport had to remain in use during the works. The preparation took about 13 months. The construction itself took 15 months.

The building itself is all about health and sustainability: energy-neutrality, sustainable mobility with a bicycle shed with electric charging points and drying room for wet bicycle equipment, healthy indoor air, healthy food, fruit at work and a sun-oriented work terrace.

“Our ambition to reduce our CO2 emissions is not only reflected in our strategic memorandum and our energy-neutral head office. We know that the future will also include hydrogen and electric flying. That is not yet possible, but as soon as these new aircraft are approved for commercial flights, we will be the first Belgian company to add them to our fleet,” says Cloots. “In the meantime, we continue to innovate step by step in terms of sustainability, both in terms of our fleet and organisation.”

Johan Van Lokeren, CEO of Flyinggroup remarks: “COVID-19 mainly had consequences for the number of flights performed. That was most visible during the first lockdown. In July and August, the market recovered significantly. We even performed better than in the summer of last year. However, it should be noted that in terms of turnover, the impact is considerably smaller, because the majority of our income comes from the management of our customers' aircraft anyway.”

Bernard van Milders concludes: “We therefore continue to look to the future of business aviation with full confidence. Flyinggroup is solid and has sufficient financial reserves. We are strong enough to face difficult circumstances.”