EBUL Ursel (PPR)

The airport of Ursel is categorized as a military domain and serves as a reserve airport of the Belgian air component. It was constructed between 1952 and 1955 at the request of SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO's central command center). The reserve airports of Bertrix-Jehonville, Saint-Hubert, Weelde, Zoersel-Oostmalle and Zutendaal were also set up around the same time as a result of this NATO regulation. For the construction of the runway, part of the shattered concrete of the war airport B-67 Ursel was used that was located south of the Urselseweg. As a result of the fall of the Iron Curtain and the reduced threat from the Warsaw Pact, Ursel airbase was released by NATO in 1993. The airport has one large runway of 2980 meters in length, of which 800 meters can be used for civil activities. This usable section is indicated by markings. This runway is oriented in the 07/25 direction and is located at an altitude of 29 m (95 ft). The taxiway prescribed by SHAPE runs parallel to the runway and could originally be used as a reserve runway. The airport is very well maintained, thanks in part to the Air Club Ursel and is heritage as a witness to the Cold War period. The airport is connected to the history of Ursel and the residents are therefore proud of “their flight square”.