Liege Airport has officially opened a ‘Horse Inn’ for travelling equines, aiming to tap into growing demand for purpose-built resting and loading areas.
The €2.6m facility will cater for all horses in transit at the Belgian gateway, whether by air or road.
Liege Airport is also sponsoring top Belgian show jumper and European runner-up, Grégory Wathelet who will help raise its international profile.
In addition, Félix-Marie Brasseur, twice world individual driving four-in-hand champion, is also an ambassador for the Horse Inn.
Liege Airport anticipates that it will play a major role in sending some of the best showjumpers in the world to the Rio Olympics.
A specially designed logo and a new website dedicated to the transportation of horses is available at www.horse-inn-liege.com.
At the opening ceremony, Liege Airport president José Happart, said: “For some years now, Liege Airport has set the standard in the transport of horses and live animals.
"We are improving and diversifying our strengths so that horse owners, riders and grooms are fully satisfied. We are also fulfilling our mission of economic development in creating and consolidating jobs in Wallonia in the equestrian sector.”
Minister for Airport Policy, René Collin, pointed out that the equine sector contributed almost €800m to the local economy, saying: “Horses are not just about sport, they also have educational, touristic, agricultural and medical roles to play. The Horse Inn will help Liege Airport to stand out even more from the crowd and to offer undeniable added value to their clients.”
