Lois Larson
Belgium is served by a total of five commercial airports, including Brussels Airport, Antwerp International Airport, Ostend-Bruges International Airport, Brussels-Charleroi Airport, and Liege-Bierset Airport. Brussels Airport, also known as Luchthaven Zaventem Airport or Brussels-National Airport, is located 12 km from the city centre of Brussels and is ranked as the 24th busiest airport in Europe. The airport was proposed for construction in 1948 when the former civilian airport in Brussels failed to accommodate a large number of passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Belgium | 5 |
| Name of the airport ranked as the 24th busiest airport in Europe | Brussels Airport |
| Other names for Brussels Airport | Luchthaven Zaventem Airport, Brussels-National Airport |
| Distance of Brussels Airport from the city center of Brussels | 12 km |
| Number of airlines operating at Brussels Airport | 63 |
| Number of flight destinations from Brussels Airlines | 92 |
| Year the old mechanical Flight Information Display Systems at Brussels Airport were replaced by electronic ones | 2009 |
| Year the direct train link between Bruges and Brussels Airport was supposed to be offered | 2014 |
| Number of car parks at Brussels Airport | 3 |
| Total number of parking spaces at Brussels Airport | 10,600 |
| Another international airport in Belgium | Antwerp International Airport |
| Year Antwerp International Airport was inaugurated | 1930 |
| Management of Antwerp International Airport | Egis Group |
| Airport that serves the Bruges and Ostend regions | Ostend-Bruges International Airport |
| Airport that serves the Liege region of Belgium | Liege Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- Brussels Airport, also called Brussels-National Airport, is ranked 24th busiest in Europe
- The airport is connected to the Belgian rail network and has a direct train link to Bruges
- Brussels Airlines is the largest airline in Belgium and operates from Brussels Airport
- The airport was proposed for construction in 1948 when the former civilian airport couldn't accommodate a large number of passengers
- The 2016 Brussels bombings caused the airport to close for 11 days
Brussels Airport, also called Brussels-National Airport, is ranked 24th busiest in Europe
Brussels Airport, also called Brussels-National Airport, is ranked the 24th busiest airport in Europe. Its central location in Europe means Belgium is often regarded as the first stop on the continent for many international airlines. The airport can be reached by car via the A201, which connects to the Brussels Ring (R0) orbital motorway. From there, travellers can access the main motorways of Belgium. The airport is also served by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB), with a train line connecting it to the European Quarter stations of Brussels-Schuman and Brussels-Luxembourg. This has reduced travel time between the airport and the European Quarter to just 15 minutes.
Brussels Airport has a unique one terminal concept, with all facilities located under a single roof. The airport has undergone several upgrades over the years, including the installation of electronic flight information display systems in 2009. In 2013, the airport made headlines when a group of armed men stole an estimated $50 million worth of diamonds from a plane bound for Zurich. Unfortunately, in 2016, the airport was the target of a terrorist attack, which resulted in a temporary closure and a significant decrease in passenger numbers.
Despite these challenges, Brussels Airport remains a significant transport hub in Belgium and Europe. With its convenient location and efficient transport connections, it continues to be a preferred gateway to Europe for many international travellers. The airport also serves as a base for several airlines, including Brussels Airlines, offering both European and overseas destinations to its customers.
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The airport is connected to the Belgian rail network and has a direct train link to Bruges
Belgium has five airports offering passenger services, with Brussels Airport being one of the two most well-known airports in the country. The airport is conveniently located and can be reached by car via the A201, which is directly connected to the Brussels Ring (R0) orbital motorway. From there, travellers can easily access the main motorways of Belgium.
Brussels Airport is well-connected to the Belgian rail network, making it easily accessible for passengers travelling by train. The Brussels Airport train station is located directly underneath the terminal, providing seamless access to the departure hall via escalators or elevators. The airport is served by up to eight trains per hour on weekdays, with five trains per hour running on weekends until approximately 11 pm.
Travellers can take advantage of direct train connections to several destinations within Belgium, including Bruges, Ghent, Liège, and Brussels. The journey to Brussels Central takes approximately 17 minutes, while Bruges and Ghent can be reached in 60 and 55 minutes, respectively, with up to three trains per hour. Additionally, the new Schuman-Josaphat tunnel has established a direct connection between the airport and the European Quarter stations of Brussels-Schuman and Brussels-Luxembourg, reducing travel time to just 15 minutes.
For those travelling with children, Brussels Airport offers a Kids Ticket, which provides a 50% discount on the regular fare, including the Diabolo surcharge. Luggage allowances are also generous, allowing passengers to bring up to three pieces of luggage, along with foldable bikes and small pets. The Diabolo surcharge, applicable to most tickets, is conveniently included in the fare, making the journey even more convenient and hassle-free.
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Brussels Airlines is the largest airline in Belgium and operates from Brussels Airport
Brussels Airlines, the flag carrier and largest airline in Belgium, operates from Brussels Airport. It was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance and is currently one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. The airline is committed to connecting Belgium to the world and has expanded its route network to include numerous destinations across Europe, Africa, and North America.
Brussels Airlines has its headquarters in the b.house (Building 26) in the General Aviation Zone on the grounds of Brussels Airport. The airline employs over 3,500 people and operates 46 aircraft, including Airbus A319, Avro RJ100, Airbus A320, and Airbus A320neo. It offers different travel classes tailored to suit various passenger needs and preferences, with onboard amenities that highlight Belgian cuisine and culture.
Brussels Airlines places a strong emphasis on customer service and has become synonymous with Belgian hospitality. The airline participates in Lufthansa's Miles & More frequent flyer program, offering benefits and services that enhance the travel experience for loyal customers. Additionally, Brussels Airlines invests in technology to streamline the travel process, providing online check-in services, a user-friendly website, and a mobile app for added convenience.
Brussels Airport, where Brussels Airlines operates from, is easily accessible by various means of transportation. The airport can be reached by car via the A201, which connects directly to the Brussels Ring (R0) orbital motorway. From there, travellers can access the main motorways of Belgium. A direct train link between Bruges and the airport is also available, as well as a new connection to the stations of the European Quarter, Brussels-Schuman and Brussels-Luxembourg, reducing travel time to just 15 minutes.
Brussels Airlines has demonstrated its resilience in the face of challenges such as the 2016 Brussels bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic. During these difficult periods, the airline adapted by shifting flights to other airports and suspending operations temporarily. Brussels Airlines has also shown a commitment to sustainability by aiming to reduce its CO2 emissions and participating in projects like the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport.
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The airport was proposed for construction in 1948 when the former civilian airport couldn't accommodate a large number of passengers
The main international airport of Belgium is Brussels Airport, also known as Brussels-National Airport or Brussels-Zaventem Airport. It is located in the municipality of Zaventem in Flemish Brabant, 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) northeast of Brussels. The airport was proposed for construction in 1948 when the former civilian airport in Haren, Brussels, could no longer accommodate a large number of passengers.
The origins of Brussels Airport at Zaventem date back to 1940 when the German occupying force claimed 600 hectares (1,500 acres) of agricultural fields as a backup airfield. The Luftwaffe established Fliegerhorst Melsbroek and constructed three runways in the shape of a triangle: runway 02/20, runway 07L/25R (both still in use), and runway 12/30. The airport buildings were constructed in the nearby municipality of Melsbroek, and the airfield was known locally as Melsbroek or Fliegerhorst Melsbroek in German.
In 1944, the German infrastructure at Melsbroek was liberated and fell into British hands. By 1948, a new terminal building was constructed to replace the old wooden structure at the civilian airport in Haren, which had become too small. From 1948 to 1956, many more buildings and facilities were erected, mostly on the Melsbroek side of the site. In 1955, a railway line from Brussels city centre to the airport was constructed and officially opened by King Baudouin.
In April 1956, the Belgian government decided to build a new airport, using the same runways but with the buildings located within the municipality of Zaventem. Brussels Airport was finally built and inaugurated in 1958. The airport has since undergone various expansions and improvements, including the addition of new runways and the expansion of the Long-Haul network to include airlines such as Jet Airways, Hainan Airlines, Etihad Airways, and US Airways. Today, Brussels Airport is home to around 260 companies and serves as the base for Brussels Airlines and TUI fly Belgium.
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The 2016 Brussels bombings caused the airport to close for 11 days
The Brussels Airport is one of five airports in Belgium that offer passenger services. It can be reached by car via the A201, which connects to the Brussels Ring (R0) orbital motorway. The National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB) also provides a direct train link to the airport from Bruges. Additionally, the new Schuman-Josaphat tunnel connects the airport directly to Brussels-Schuman and Brussels-Luxembourg stations in the European Quarter, reducing travel time to just 15 minutes.
Unfortunately, on March 22, 2016, two coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out by the Islamic State (IS) in and around Brussels, Belgium. Two suicide bombers detonated bombs at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, just outside the city, killing 16 people. A third bomb was found in the airport and detonated in a controlled explosion. The airport was closed for 11 days following the attacks, reopening with temporary facilities and severely reduced passenger capacity. During the closure, flights destined for Brussels Airport were cancelled or diverted to nearby airports.
The Belgian government declared three days of national mourning after the bombings, which were the deadliest attacks on Belgium since World War II. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating they were an act of revenge against Belgium for its participation in the military intervention against ISIL. The perpetrators were linked to the terrorist cell involved in the November 2015 Paris attacks, and the bombings occurred shortly after police raids targeting the group.
The investigation into the attacks was swift and efficient. Within half an hour of the airport attack, the taxi driver who drove the perpetrators to the airport contacted the police. Recognizing the suspects from security camera footage, he provided valuable information that allowed the authorities to search an apartment and uncover crucial evidence, including bomb-making materials and an IS flag. The early lead, along with the discovery of a laptop containing IS-related material, facilitated the arrest of twelve people in Belgium, France, and Germany in the days following the attacks.
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Frequently asked questions
The Brussels Airport, also known as the Brussels-National Airport or the Luchthaven Zaventem Airport, was proposed for construction in 1948 when the former civilian airport in Brussels failed to accommodate a large number of passengers. The airport uses a one-terminal concept, meaning that all the facilities are located under a single roof.
Yes, Belgium has a total of five commercial airports offering passenger services, including Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Ostend-Bruges International Airport, Antwerp International Airport, and Liege Airport.
Brussels Airport is located 12 km from the city centre of Brussels and is ranked as the 24th busiest airport in Europe. It is directly connected to the Belgian rail network and offers a direct train link to Bruges and the European Quarter of Brussels. The airport also has a variety of car rental services and parking options available for travellers.
Brussels Airport was the site of a diamond heist in 2013, where eight men seized an estimated $50 million worth of diamonds. The airport was also affected by the 2016 Brussels bombings, which resulted in an 11-day closure and a significant reduction in passenger capacity upon reopening.
