Brussels International Airport, Belgium

Brussels International Airport is located approximately 11km north-east of the city. It is partially located in Zaventem and Diegem regions. The airport is being operated by the Brussels Airport Company (earlier called Brussels International Airport Company).

The airport was inaugurated in July 1958. A new cargo terminal was constructed in 1976. In 1994, a new terminal was constructed adjacent to the existing terminal which was built in 1958.

The airport acts as a hub for domestic and international airlines such as Brussels Airlines, European Air Transport, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines Cargo and Saudi Arabian Airlines Cargo. It handled 16.9m passengers and 449,100t cargo in 2009. The number of aircraft movements recorded during the year was 231,600.

Terminal

Brussels International Airport currently has a single terminal building. Level 0 of the terminal features self service baggage lockers. Level 1 of the terminal building has baby changing rooms, coin-operated luggage lockers and art exhibitions.

The arrival and departure areas are located on levels 2 and 3 respectively. The arrival hall features information desks, a baggage claim area, a post office, a currency exchange, gift shops, eateries and ATM centres.

Conference facilities, which can accommodate 1,500 people, are located in the sky hall reception room in the arrivals hall. The departure hall features two concourses A and B. Duty-free shops and information desks are at both the concourses.

The terminal has fax machines, data ports and vending machines. WiFi is also available at the terminal, but the service is charged. The terminal has a large duty free outlet and a storage area to accommodate heavy luggage.

Runways

The airport has three runways designated 02/20, 07R/25L and 07L/25R which are 2,987m, 3,211m and 3,638m long respectively.

The runways 02/20 and 07R/25L are surfaced with asphalt while the runway 07L/25R is surfaced with concrete.

Air traffic control

The new control tower at the airport has been operational since December 2004 and is located 500m from the national air traffic control centre (CANAC).

The tower is mounted on a trapezoidal building which covers an area of 3,500m². Construction of the tower required 820t of reinforcement and 105t of metal structure.

The air traffic controllers manage take off and landing movements within a radius of 20km around the airport.

Parking

The airport has short-term and long-term parking facilities. Interparking operates the parking facilities. Free shuttle services are offered from the remote car park to the terminal. There are 10,600 car parking spaces close to the terminals.

Majority of the parking spaces near the airport are allotted for disabled passengers. The disabled parking spaces are labelled and therefore can easily be spotted.

Ground transportation

Numerous transportation facilities such as limousine, shuttles and taxis operate to and from the airport. Public bus facility is also available.

A separate fenced off road provides access to bikers and pedestrians to the airport. A fenced off cycling track is available for cyclists to directly reach level 0 of the terminal.

A railway link with Leuven connecting the airport was opened in December 2005. The railway station lies at level 1, under the airport building.

Another rail link via Diabolo line is expected to be operational by 2012. The train station is located below the terminal.