The official start of the summer holiday season is set for Friday, June 28th, and Brussels Airport is gearing up for a busy period. Over the next two months, the airport anticipates handling over 5 million passengers traveling to and from one of 200 direct destinations offered in its summer schedule.
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers, Brussels Airport, along with its partners, has dedicated efforts to enhance operations. The Brussels Airport App has been updated to provide easier access to flight information, and more e-gates will be installed at border controls throughout the summer.
This Friday also marks the commencement of the summer holidays for Dutch-speaking schools, with Brussels Airport expecting nearly 83,000 passengers on this initial day. The subsequent weekend will remain bustling, with anticipated passenger counts of 75,000 and 79,000 for Saturday and Sunday, respectively. In the French-speaking school system, holidays commence a week later, predicting a busy start to July with 79,000 passengers expected on July 5th.
Altogether, the airport anticipates more than 5 million passengers over the summer, a 6% increase from the previous year. This robust network encompasses 200 direct destinations via 80 airlines, catering to both passenger and cargo needs. Popular holiday destinations include Spain, the Canary Islands, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Morocco, Italy, and Egypt.
Newcomers to the summer schedule include airlines like Amélia (Brive), Juneyao Airlines (Shanghai), Singapore Airlines (Singapore), Wideroe (Bergen), and Wizz Air (Budapest), offering new destinations like Bari (Transavia), Gazipasa (Corendon), Krakow, and Nairobi (both Brussels Airlines).
The summer also sees expansions in service offerings. Transavia has added a third aircraft at Brussels Airport to offer 12 destinations, Brussels Airlines has added a tenth long-haul aircraft for a total of 18 sub-Saharan destinations, and Hainan Airlines has introduced Shanghai as a new destination. Further expansions include United Airlines doubling its Newark flights, Air Arabia Maroc expanding to seven destinations, Vueling increasing its flight frequency to Spain, and Qatar Airways now operating 12 weekly flights to Doha.
Preparations for the bustling summer include deploying additional staff at the airport, installing new automated e-gates at border controls, and enhancing passenger flow and security. The redesigned Brussels Airport App is now an essential tool for passengers, offering real-time flight updates, travel tips, and direct access to airport amenities. Passengers are encouraged to book parking in advance or use public transportation and to review carry-on baggage rules for swift security clearance.
The terminal itself embraces a summer theme, complete with photo opportunities and new amenities like the Pop Up Café Artois and play areas for children. Sporting events, including the European Football Championship and the Olympic Games, will be broadcasted in the terminal, and the airport will collaborate with the Tomorrowland festival to host live DJ sets, enhancing the festive atmosphere throughout the summer.
