The “Baltic Air Express”

Never has a government building been built as quickly as that of the Antwerp airport. After only nine months, the new building was officially inaugurated on September 10, 1930. Minister Lippens was only a little proud of 'his' achievement. Mayor Van Cauwelaert thanked him for the air station with which he equipped the Metropolis.

With the means available at the time, it can indeed be called an achievement: only nine months elapsed between the laying of the foundation stone and the official inauguration. In addition to a visit to the new installations, the many guests were also offered lunch in the large warehouse. The public had the opportunity to view the new airport during an air meeting - how could it be otherwise - organised on Sunday.

In the meantime, an agreement had been signed with Farman (later Air France) for a Paris-Amsterdam connection, with a stopover at Antwerp.

Antwerp-Liège was flown in on 16 June, and later extended to Ostend.

In 1931 the airport was in full use and the regular services were a success. Antwerp acquired the allure of an international airport.

A very important day was May 1, when the “Baltic Air Express” was inaugurated. The starting point was in London, to eventually reach Malmö via Antwerp, Düsseldorf, Essen and Copenhagen. Not only Minister Lippens, but also Prince Leopold and Princess Astrid came to Antwerp for the occasion. After lunch, the princess was asked to give the official go-ahead...