FAS Luchtvaartmuseum

About the museum

Kortrijk-Wevelgem International Airport goes back to 1917, when the German occupier laid out the Flugplatz Bissegem on the border of Bissegem and Wevelgem. Since then the airfield has had a long history: its early beginnings during the First World War, the flying school between the wars, expansion and bombing in the Second World War, the aircraft park during the Cold War, the transition to a civil airport from 1960, and its development into a business airport from the 1990s onwards.

The FAS Aviation Museum of the Flanders Aviation Society tells that story and at the same time highlights the major developments in aviation technology. The museum is housed in an authentic command bunker that the German occupier built from 1942, under the control tower next to the airport building. An introductory film in the projection room, watched from original aeroplane seats, gives an overview of the airport's history against the backdrop of world history.

The exhibition shows authentic items, images and explanations: dioramas and scale models, wreckage from crashed aircraft and original flying suits. It also covers the heavy bombing of Wevelgem and Kortrijk in the Second World War, the many crashes in the area, well-known visitors to the airport, and the pilots who learned to fly at Wevelgem.

Highlights

• Museum in an authentic German command bunker from 1942 under the control tower
• History of Kortrijk-Wevelgem airport from Flugplatz Bissegem in 1917
• Introductory film in original aeroplane seats
• Dioramas, scale models, wreckage of crashed aircraft and flying suits
• Air war over Flanders in the Second World War and the bombing of Kortrijk and Wevelgem
• Start and finish point of the FAS Pilot Route

Permanent exhibition

• Luchthaven Kortrijk-Wevelgem en de ontwikkeling van de luchtvaart – Exhibition in the German bunker on airport history from 1917, the air war in the Second World War and aviation technology, with an introductory film.

Operated by

Flanders Aviation Society (FAS)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free on all announced public days in 2026; the first Sunday of every month from May to October is free for everyone (thanks to the municipality of Wevelgem).

Payment on site is possible in cash or with Payconiq, or in advance by invoice. Schools in West Flanders can apply for a subsidy from the province, as the museum is recognised as a heritage destination.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible with a light wheelchair; there is one step with two treads, where staff can help. For a heavy electric wheelchair the step may be an obstacle. The passageways are wide enough, and the exhibition can be viewed well from seated height. For visually impaired visitors, bright coloured lights can be perceived and guides let objects be touched; guidance is recommended.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum is a school trip destination, with an educational pack and themes such as STEM and history.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Luchthavenstraat 1, 8560 Wevelgem. The museum is in the bunker under the control tower, next to the airport building; the entrance to the airport is along the Kortrijkstraat (N8) between Hotel Bell-X and VW Garage Top Motors. Cyclists can come via Leie, Kruiskouter and Moraviestraat; the museum is the start and finish point of the FAS Pilot Route.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit