Brussels Airport reopens departures hall after terror attacks
Brussels Airport has officially reopened its departures hall, which was badly damaged in a double suicide bomb attack in March.
It said the reopening was ‘an important symbol of the recovery of our country a mere 40 days after the 22 March attacks that hit the airport in its heart’.
"This is a very important day for Brussels Airport. We’re again seeing the familiar image of passengers in our departures hall, a big step towards the return to normal activities at the airport which will give a boost to the economy of the entire nation," said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company, at Sunday’s opening ceremony.
Marc Descheemaecker, chairman of the board of directors, added: "After the expressions of solidarity in the first days, we now receive messages of admiration and support from other airports and airlines for the quick restart of our airport.
"Let’s hope that due to this quick restart the negative impact of the attacks on our country will be limited in time, as was the case with similar events in other countries."
During the opening ceremony, around 400 passengers for Malaga, Lisbon and Palma de Mallorca checked in at the reopened departures hall.
Some of the hall remains damaged but the airport operator hopes to be able to receive all passengers before the start of the summer holidays.
As of yesterday, 111 check-in desks are open in addition to the 36 desks in the temporary constructions.
Additional security measures put in place after the 22 March attacks remain in force.
Passengers are advised to arrive three hours before departure time and to travel light.
Only passengers are admitted in the departures hall and the temporary constructions.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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