Brussels' Dual Airport System: Efficient Or Excessive?

Brussels, the largest city in Belgium, has two airports: Brussels Airport (also known as Zaventem Airport or Brussels-National Airport) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Brussels Airport is the main international airport of Belgium and is located in Zaventem, 12 kilometres northeast of Brussels. It is the 26th busiest airport in Europe, serving more than 24 million passengers annually. On the other hand, Charleroi Airport is located in Gosselies, in the southern part of Charleroi city, and is about 46 kilometres from Brussels. It is the second busiest airport in Belgium and is used by several low-cost airlines.

Brussels Airport (BRU)

Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR), also known as Brussels-National Airport or Brussels-Zaventem Airport, is the main international airport of Belgium. It is located in the municipality of Zaventem in Flemish Brabant, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) northeast of Brussels. It is the largest and main international airport in Belgium, serving as the base for Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium. The airport handled more than 26 million passengers in 2019, making it the 26th busiest airport in Europe. It is home to around 260 companies, directly employing 20,000 people.

Brussels Airport covers 1,245 hectares (3,076 acres) and contains three runways. The airport uses a one terminal concept, meaning that all the facilities are located under a single roof. The terminal building consists of several levels: the railway station is located on −1, buses and taxis arrive at 0, arrivals are located on level 2, and departures on level 3. The terminal is further divided into two piers, A and B, which are linked by the "Connector", a building that allows passengers to walk straight from the check-in desk to their gate without changing floors. Pier A is the newest pier and is used for flights to and from the Schengen countries, while Pier B is the oldest pier and is used for flights outside the Schengen Area.

Brussels Airport has a wide range of shops, bars, and restaurants located throughout the building. It also features places of worship for various religions and denominations, as well as a place for meditation for humanists. The airport provides meeting facilities and can host conferences for up to 600 participants. There is also a hotel located on the airport grounds, the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel, and shuttle services are provided to 14 nearby hotels. All passengers have access to unlimited free Wi-Fi.

Brussels Airport can be reached by car via the A201, which connects directly to the Brussels Ring Road. There are several car rental services located within the airport, including Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and Thrifty. De Lijn provides bus transportation to and from various cities in Flanders, while the MIVB/STIB provides transportation into Brussels city centre via line 12. The airport also has its own train station, located on level −1, with direct services to several destinations, including Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, and Leuven.

Charleroi Airport

The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 2 opening in 2017 to relieve the pressure on Terminal 1 during rush hours and accommodate more passengers in the future. In 2019, work began to extend the runway to a total length of 3,200 metres.

The airport is accessible by the A54/E420 highway, and parking is available on-site.

Zaventem Airport

The airport is home to around 260 companies, which together employ 20,000 people directly. It serves as the base for Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium. The airport covers 1,245 hectares (3,076 acres) and has three runways.

The airport has a wide range of restaurants and shops, including Belgian chocolate stores. It has excellent transport connections and is well-regarded for its convenience and practicality.

Brussels Airlines

Brussels, the largest city in Belgium, has two airports: Zaventem Airport (also known as Brussels International Airport) and Charleroi Airport. Zaventem Airport is the closest airport to Brussels and is the largest airport in Belgium. Charleroi Airport is located in the city of Charleroi, which is about an hour away from Brussels city centre.

In recent years, Brussels Airlines has expanded its operations and increased flight frequencies to various destinations. The airline has also introduced new routes, such as New York JFK, Washington Dulles, and Toronto Pearson. In addition, Brussels Airlines has launched a series of Belgian Icon special liveries on its Airbus A320 fleet, celebrating iconic Belgian figures and cultural phenomena such as Tintin, René Magritte, and Tomorrowland Festival.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brussels Airlines suspended all flights for a period and cancelled several flight schedules. The airline also terminated its wet-lease contract with CityJet and ended operations to eight European destinations.

Transport to the city centre

Brussels Airport is located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) northeast of Brussels' city centre. The airport is connected by efficient and reliable public transport services that operate 24 hours daily.

The airport train station is located on level -1, directly beneath the terminal building. Trains run six times an hour from the airport-Zaventem railway station to other stations in the city such as Brussel-Noord, Brussel-Centraal, and Brussel-Zuid, from 5 am to midnight daily. The train journey takes 17 to 20 minutes and costs $8.80 for a second-class single trip, $15.20 for a weekend return, and $10.70 for a first-class ticket. Up to four children up to 11 years old can travel for free, while those 12 or over need to pay for a ticket.

The bus terminal is located at level 0 of the airport. The best bus option to get to the city centre is to take a bus from the company De Lijn, which offers several lines connecting the airport to different regions in Belgium. A single ticket costs €3.00 and the trip takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Taking the bus is a good alternative for those staying in the European District, as the area is accessible via bus line STIB (numbers 12 and 21) from the airport. This trip takes 30 minutes and a single-way ticket costs €4.50 from the machines or €6.00 from the driver.

If you are travelling with a lot of luggage or your hotel is far from the train stations, it is recommended to use an airport transfer service or taxi. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost at least €45.

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