News

Subscribe to our newsletter and social media channels to stay tuned about all our updates. We regularly post news about events, partnerships and innovation updates of our resident companies f.e.

<< Back to overview

6 Jul, 2023

Aviation expert Ward Decaluwe new CEO at DronePort

The Board of Directors of DronePort nv has appointed a new CEO. Ward Decaluwe (56) is an aviation expert with a long career within Brussels Airport Company, Sabena and Brussels Airlines. He takes over the helm at DronePort, which aims to further grow into a benchmark in the European drone and aviation innovation industry.

Driving force

Droneport, which opened its doors in December 2018, is located at the former military airbase in Brustem (Sint-Truiden). At this location, start-ups, growing companies and knowledge centers are working together to create an innovative future for the aerospace industry.

In a short time, the DronePort site has developed into the driving force of the drone industry in Flanders. In December 2018, DronePort launched the construction of its campus building, which houses f.e. an incubator for drone startups. A large multi-purpose hangar was completed not much later in 2020. Droneport’s current shareholders are the Limburg Investment Company (LRM), city of Sint-Truiden and JK Invest.

New CEO

Ward Decaluwe will assume the role of General Manager, CEO, from August 2023. He will be responsible for the continued strategic development of DronePort as well as the operations of the regional airport and associated campus.

Mr. Ward Decaluwe has a long track record within the aviation sector: he started at Brussels Airport Company in 1994 and then spent 4 years at Sabena. From 2002 on, he worked at (SN) Brussels Airlines where he was responsible for ‘Product Development & Customer Experience’.

After that he was a member of the executive committee of Brussels Airport Company for over 8 years, responsible for ‘Operations’ and ‘Passenger Experience’ among others. In recent years, he has focused as a consultant on innovation and strategic partnerships in the airline industry.

European reference

The appointment of a new CEO is the second major announcement within DronePort this year. Earlier, it became known that Brussels Airport Company (BAC) will take a significant stake in DronePort.

Mr. Tom Vanham, General Manager of LRM and President of DronePort: “Mr. Decaluwe is a top professional and aviation expert who understands very well the potential of a project like DronePort. He is committed to exploiting his broad expertise and relevant network to achieve DronePort’s ambitions. I am convinced that together with the team, partners and stakeholders DronePort can further develop to become a benchmark in the European drone and innovative aviation industry.”

Subscribe and follow us for frequent updates

VRT teams learn how to master the DJI Mini 4 Pro at DronePort

apr 26, 2024 | Innovation

This week at DronePort, a vibrant hub for aerial innovation, two groups of employees from VRT took to the skies to sharpen their drone flying skills. Yet again, DronePort proved to be the perfect location for hassle-free training sessions with drones.

Pioneering aerial cleaning: KTV Working Drone training at DronePort

apr 26, 2024 | Innovation

In the setting of DronePort, KTV Working Drone is actively transforming how building maintenance is approached. Recently, the company conducted an intensive training session, facilitated by an expert from Norway, focused on mastering drone operations for specialized cleaning services.

First automated BVLOS drone flight at DronePort with perimeter inspection from Steenokkerzeel

apr 11, 2024 | Innovation

DronePort in Sint-Truiden hosted a groundbreaking BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone flight for perimeter inspection, remotely controlled from Steenokkerzeel. This collaborative project, part of the ‘U-space in Practice’ event, signifies a major step in automated drone technology, demonstrating its potential for advanced, hard-to-reach inspections, and highlighting DronePort’s commitment to integrating such technologies into practical applications.