Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport
Name	Brussels Airport
IATA	BRU
ICAO	EBBR
Owner	Belgian State / Macquarie Group
Operator	Brussels Airport Company
City-served	Brussels
Location	Zaventem, Flemish Brabant
Elevation-f	184
Elevation-m	56
Coordinates	50, 54, 5, N...
Website	https://www.brusselsairport.be
R1-number	01/19
R1-length-m	2,987
R1-surface	Asphalt
R2-number	07L/25R
R2-length-m	3,211
R2-surface	Asphalt
R3-number	07R/25L
R3-length-m	3,638
R3-surface	Asphalt
Stat-year	2023
Stat1-header	Passengers
Stat1-data	22.2 million
Stat2-header	Aircraft movements
Stat2-data	211,000
Stat3-header	Cargo (tonnes)
Stat3-data	667,000

Brussels Airport is the primary international airport serving Brussels and the largest airport in Belgium. Located in the municipality of Zaventem, approximately 12 kilometers northeast of central Brussels, it operates as a major hub for both passenger and cargo traffic. The airport is a key gateway to Europe and serves as a significant base for Brussels Airlines and a focus city for several other carriers including Ryanair and TUI fly Belgium.

History

The site's aviation history began in 1940 when the German occupation forces constructed an airfield, known as Melsbroek Airfield. After World War II, the existing facilities at Haren were deemed insufficient, leading to the development of a new civil airport at Zaventem, which opened in 1958 with a landmark modernist terminal designed by the architect Maxime Brunfaut. A pivotal moment occurred in 1992 when management was transferred to the private Brussels Airport Company. The airport was profoundly impacted by the 2016 Brussels bombings, which included attacks on its departure hall. Major redevelopment projects, such as the construction of the modern Connector building and Pier A, have continually transformed its infrastructure.

Facilities and terminals

The airport's operations are centralized in a single terminal building, divided into several connected piers. The main building houses check-in areas and the arrivals hall, while the satellite **Pier A** serves non-Schengen Area flights and features modern lounges including the Aspire Lounge. **Pier B** is dedicated to flights within the Schengen Area, and the older **Pier T** (now largely integrated) was historically used for charter operations. The airport features an extensive **Brussels Airport Shopping Plaza** and offers premium services through the **Diamond Lounge** operated by Swissport. Cargo operations are significant, with dedicated zones managed by companies like DHL Aviation and FedEx Express.

Airlines and destinations

As a major European hub, the airport hosts a wide array of carriers connecting Brussels to global destinations. The national carrier Brussels Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, maintains its largest base here, offering extensive routes across Africa and Europe. Other major network airlines include Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM. The airport is a key operational focus for low-cost carrier Ryanair, which uses it as a base, and for leisure airline TUI fly Belgium. Long-haul services are provided by airlines such as Air Canada, United Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Hainan Airlines, linking the airport to North America, Asia, and Africa.

Ground transportation

The airport is well-integrated into Belgium's transport network. The **Brussels Airport-Zaventem railway station** is located directly beneath the terminal, offering frequent services to Brussels-North, Brussels-Central, and Brussels-South stations, as well as direct connections to cities like Antwerp, Ghent, and Leuven. Multiple **De Lijn** and **STIB/MIVB** bus lines provide regional and local services. Road access is facilitated by direct links to the A201 and the Brussels Ring (R0). Taxis and rental car services from companies like Hertz and Avis are readily available.

Statistics and traffic

Brussels Airport is one of the busiest airports in Benelux. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it consistently handled over 25 million passengers annually, with a record set in 2019. Traffic is dominated by European destinations, with significant transfer traffic facilitated by Brussels Airlines' hub operations. Cargo throughput is substantial, making it a critical European freight hub, particularly for express operators like DHL Aviation. The airport's major markets include the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the United States.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced several notable aviation incidents. The deadliest occurred on February 15, 1961, when Sabena Flight 548, a Boeing 707 bound for New York City, crashed near Berg during approach, killing all 72 on board including the entire United States Figure Skating Team. On July 4, 1968, an Air France Sud Aviation Caravelle operating as Air France Flight 212 crashed after takeoff, resulting in no fatalities but destroying the aircraft. A significant terrorist attack took place on March 22, 2016, when suicide bombers detonated explosives in the departures hall, killing 16 people and injuring many more, in coordinated attacks with the Maalbeek metro station bombing.

Category:Airports in Belgium Category:Buildings and structures in Flemish Brabant Category:Transport in Brussels