[2] After the first flying events at the Wilrijkse Plein, work on a proper airport for the city started in 1921, under the impulse of pioneer aviator Jan Olieslagers and others.

[3] The airport was home to the aircraft factory Stampe et Vertongen until its demise after World War II.

[3] During World War II, the airport was used by the Luftwaffe and also served the nearby Erla aircraft factory.

On 6 August 2018, the revived VLM Airlines announced the termination of five scheduled routes with another new one not commencing in the coming weeks and that instead it would focus on charter operations.

Due to its short runway length of only just over 1,500 m (4,900 ft), it is not possible to operate aircraft larger than the Boeing 757 at the airport.