Charleroi Business Aviation (CBA), an association of private investors and the regional body IGRETEC, is currently conducting a market survey on the possibility of developing Charleroi into a business aviation centre; a centre, says CBA, which would serve an industrial conurbation south of Brussels numbering four million people. \rEBAN spoke to one of the association members, cryogenics company Vacuum Barrier Systems. Guy Charbonnier, Vacuum Barrier spokesman, said: "The survey, which is partly financed by the Walloon government, will seek to establish market potential, economic benefits for the area, facilities and the amount of investment required for this to become a business airbase.\r"If it becomes a reality as we hope it will, we believe the potential for success is very high."\rCharbonnier explained: "As the main development at this airport is geared to mass transportation, we thought we could develop something that would include business as well. This feeling was shared by regional authorities who thought that an access to business aviation would contribute to the regional development plans. \r"There are a number of large companies located south of Brussels which might well use this space, as an alternative to Brussels National."\rCBA was set up to define the standards and investment required. So far, the Walloon government has contributed 30,000 Euros towards the production of the survey. When complete, CBA will go back to the Walloon government with a presentation of its findings and a set of conditions to be met to ensure that the project is financially and practically viable.\rCharbonnier told EBAN: "As we are keen to move fast on this project, our survey should be finished in May. After that, the government, which owns the airport site, will have to decide if what we propose - and we intend to propose several levels of investment - is acceptable. In my opinion, it will back the project.\rOne of the reasons behind the project, said Charbonnier, is this: "We believe that many business flight operators will find that a reliever airport such as Charleroi is an attractive alternative to Brussels National, where crowded peak hours and high landing fees below 20 tons can be discouraging.\r"We are mainly interested in providing business travel alternatives to companies located south of Brussels, who are not using business aviation now."\rBuilding work, should it be given the go-ahead, would also not be delayed, says CBA. Charbonnier said: "The intention of the initiators is to convert existing facilities rather quickly and to provide planning for expansion. So we might start with a relatively modest infrastructure and have sufficient room for growth."\rCBA's plan is to allow a private company to run private and corporate aviation while the existing state body presently running the airport would concentrate on airline business. This, says CBA, would mean that the FBO can make a living right from the start. \r"It will handle fuel, collect rent on existing hangars and provide all services required by high-end business aviation. Some existing facilities will be converted to provide the creature comfort that business aviation users are expecting. New hangars will be built to accommodate turbo props and jets, but with a relatively small investment, we could get started as early as the end of this year."\rAnd the minimum investment required to get the project off the ground? "I think we're talking about two million Euros" said Charbonnier.\rBusinesswise, said Vacuum Barrier, it remains a fact that the northern part of Belgium has been more active than the south. "But," said Charbonnier, "an economic recovery similar to the one experienced by the US rust belt states is taking place and it is essential to provide business aviation with an easy access to the area. \r"That said, the area of Brussels would be a candidate for using Charleroi airport because it's only 40 kilometres away, half an hour by car." \rCBA says it will make sure that proper transportation services and business meeting facilities are available on site. One of the most important aspects of the plan being promoted by CBA, is to attract business to the south of Brussels. Over the coming months, it hopes to convince the government of the knock-on effect of a business aviation centre at Charleroi Airport - that is to say "the promotion of the image of the region".