Brussels Airport re-opening delayed
The re-opening of Brussels Airport has been delayed due to the extent of the damage and the new security measures demanded by Belgian authorities.
The airport had hoped to re-open on Sunday, March 27, following last Tuesday’s terrorist attack.
But the airport management has now said: "The simple fact is that a restart in the short term is not possible in the devastated infrastructure."
The airport has organised a major test today involving 800 airport staff testing the temporary check-in arrangements.
A statement released on Sunday said: "This test will be developed in consultation with the various airport partners, the Federal Police, Defence, the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA)."
Since the attack, flights to Brussels have been diverted to Antwerp, Charleroi and Liege in Belgium, as well as Lille in France.
The Brussels Airlines long-haul network has been moved to Frankfurt and Zurich, to connect with Lufthansa and Swiss flights – both carriers are partners with Brussels Airlines.
British Airways has cancelled all flights to Brussels up to and including Tuesday March 29.
It is offering alternative flights to Liege for those who still want to travel to the Belgian capital.
There is a free bus service between Liege airport and the main train station in Liege, which departs every 30 minutes.
Alternatively, those who wish to cancel flights already booked for travel up to next Wednesday can rebook to travel on a later date, choose an alternative destination or claim a full refund.
EasyJet has switched its Brussels flights to operate in to and out of Lille airport instead. At the moment it plans to use Lille up to Wednesday, March 30.
Ryanair said flights to/from Brussels Zaventem will continue to operate to/from Brussels Charleroi Airport up to and including Friday, April 1.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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