The airport is also a major destination for the staff employed by the 300 businesses on site and close to 24,000 staff, around 10% of whom commute by train.  SNCB and Brussels Airport set out to shorten the commute for these employees by creating a direct access from the Brussels Airport station to the Business District. This new access separates the airport passenger flow from the commuter flow. This alternative exit, efficient and secure, and reserved for the exclusive use of staff, will shorten their journey time by 10–20 minutes.

Says Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company: “The Brussels Airport Business District has undergone continual growth in recent years, which has led to a significant increase in the number of employees working at the airport site. This new access will considerably improve staff commutes, in particular by reducing their journey time, making the train one of the commuters’ preferred means of transport, chosen by 10% of the employees who work at Brussels Airport.”

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Passengers

During the month of June, no less than 2,412,774 passengers flew to or from Brussels Airport. That is 4.3% more than in the same period last year. Thanks to the ever-stronger position of Brussels Airport in the Star Alliance network, the number of transfer passengers in June increased by 3.6% compared to last year. Because of Ramadan, which this year took place only over a few days in June (around the time of the first weekend of the summer holidays), the local departure market saw an increase compared to the same month last year (+2.6%). Ethiopian, Etihad, Emirates, United and ANA airlines in particular enjoyed a growth in passengers, thanks to the use of larger aircraft on their long-haul flights. The short-haul airlines with the biggest increase were Brussels Airlines, Ryanair, Air Arabia, Vueling, EasyJet, Finnair, Aeroflot, Iberia and TAROM.

During the first six months of the year, Brussels Airport again welcomed a record number of passengers. In total, 12,283,184 passengers travelled via the airport, which is an increase of 1.8% compared to the first half of last year.

Cargo

The downward trend in cargo transport continued in June. We saw a considerable decline of 17.0% compared to the same month last year. In June 2018, the airport shipped more than 64,000 tonnes of cargo; this year it handled around 10,000 tonnes less. The decline can be felt in all segments and by all airlines. The trucked cargo underwent the strongest downturn: 26.6% lower than June last year. The reduction in cargo transport is also noticeable in other European airports and is due to continuing economic uncertainty.

When we compare the amount of cargo in the first half of 2019 with the first half of last year, there is a decline of 9.3%. Dedicated cargo flights experienced a strong decline of 16.2% in the first six months of the year. Although a negative trend has been identified in all European airports, Brussels Airport has fared worse than other airports in the vicinity. This can be explained by the general decline in cargo volumes in the European market and the unrest that prevailed in recent months at skeyes air traffic control and the impact this had on cargo flights.

Flights

Last month, 20,895 aircraft movements took place at Brussels Airport; that is a decrease of 0.5% compared to June last year. The strong increase in the number of passengers in June (+4.3%) but the limited increase in the number of passenger flights (+0.3%) indicates a clear increase in the number of passengers per flight. In June last year, there was an average of 128 passengers on board every flight compared to an average this month of 133 (+3.9%).

The number of flights decreased during the first half of 2019, despite the increase in the number of passengers; the total dropped from 114,112 flights to 112,535, a decrease of 1.4%. This is mainly due to the bankruptcy of fly bmi and WOW Air and the actions at skeyes. During the first six months of 2018 there was an average of 124 passengers per flight; during the first half of this year the average was 129 (+ 2.4%).

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Real-time information thanks to Manyways.be

Manyways.be endeavours to make technical mobility data legible for users without any technical knowledge. Thanks to innovative technology developed at the initiative of the federal government, companies and private individuals can now use ground breaking mobility strategies devised by Waylay and MORE LION.

The Brussels Airport smart city dashboard is geared towards both passengers and commuters. The data are mapped in real time and in a comprehensive way on a dashboard via instant visualization and are supplemented with insightful graphs.

The Brussels Airport Smart City Dashboard

The Brussels Airport Smart City Dashboard charts car, train and bus traffic and shows, in real time, how many cars are driving on the Brussels ring road and at what speed, the availability of different parking facilities at the airport, the availability of carpooling to and from the airport and the punctuality of public transport.

Users can get detailed mobility information of a specific place at the click of a button, while mobile users can always situate themselves on a map. The dashboard is accessible via

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He added: “At the moment, the law does not provide for the possibility of using cameras with facial recognition.”

However, in Knack magazine, the Commissioner General of the Federal Police, Marc De Mesmaeker, announced his intention to make such cameras available to security officers at Brussels Airport. “We will soon be introducing this technology at Brussels Airport. We have an agreement with the operator and the unions,” the Commissioner explained.

According to Mr Dobbelaere-Welvaert, cameras equipped with facial recognition software are allowed only for commercial use, not for security purposes.

Moreover, he added, facial recognition cameras are not useful without a prior database to compare images – and the only such database that exists is the National Registry. “But the National Registry doesn’t identify people through cameras,” said Mr Dobbelaere-Welvaert.

Mr Dobbelaere-Welvaert did claim, however, that the use of “intelligent” cameras would be legal; these are already used, for instance, in the city of Kortrijk. Thanks to updated software, these cameras are able to detect people with certain characteristics (a red bag, blue shoes, etc.). But they do not directly identify specific individuals.

When contacted for a reaction, the federal police maintained that the current legal framework is sufficient for the installation of such cameras. However, no one was available to provide any further explanations.

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Under the moniker “NetZeroCarbon2050”, 194 airports from 24 countries have committed themselves to achieving zero net CO2 emissions by no later than 2050. To reach that goal, the airports – including Brussels Airport – will reduce their CO2 emissions to zero.

“Brussels Airport has been committed since 2011 to a major reduction in CO2 emissions. Since 2018, Brussels Airport has also been CO2 neutral according to the Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme of ACI Europe. It is urgent that we, both as an industry and as an individual player, take the next step and implement zero CO2 emissions without CO2 offsetting. We are convinced that this is a feasible plan, by virtue of research and innovation, further investments, knowledge-sharing and partnerships in our sector,” says Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company.

Dr Michael Kerkloh, President of ACI EUROPE and CEO of Munich Airport, commented: “Europe’s airports have been leading climate action with annual reductions announced every year for the past decade. 43 of them have actually become carbon neutral, supported by the global industry standard Airport Carbon Accreditation. However, today’s commitment brings a new dimension to this – no offsets. Crucially, with its NetZero2050 commitment, the airport industry is aligning itself with the Paris Agreement and the ambitions of the vast majority of EU countries.”

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC said: “The IPCC Special Report from last October is unequivocal about the need to achieve net zero emissions by mid-century. We need all sectors of society working towards this goal. It is therefore encouraging to see the airport industry voluntarily raising its ambitions and we look forward to working with this vital sector.”

Net zero CO2 emissions as a pillar of sustainability

The resolution of NetZeroCarbon2050 is one of the pillars of the sustainability strategy presented by ACI Europe at its Annual Congress. Brussels Airport was amongst the airports which formed the core team responsible for the development of the sustainability strategy of ACI Europe.

The sustainability strategy of Brussels Airport and that of ACI Europe is based on the 17 United Nations sustainability objectives. “As a pioneer in outlining a sustainability strategy for our airport, we are part of the core team within ACI Europe, involved in outlining and shaping the goals for the entire sector. Being one of society’s highly important ecosystems, airports have the responsibility not only to limit their environmental impact but also promote positive progress in, for example, mobility, prosperity, sustainable jobs and diversity,” underlines Arnaud Feist.

Within the framework of its sustainability strategy, Brussels Airport has identified 5 areas in which considerable progress can be made in the short term. Various projects in this framework have recently been implemented, as illustrated below.

1. Waste management

– 25 airport partners have signed the Waste Charter to reduce waste and to better sort and recycle the waste produced.

– Various partners, such as customs and airlines, are working together to prevent the import of bush meat.

2. Ground noise and local air quality

– 30 electric buses are replacing diesel buses on the tarmac.

– Partners at Brussels Airport subscribe to the principle of ‘collaborative  environmental management’ (CEM) to limit the environmental impact of the airport activities.

3. Inclusion

– Aviato, the new employment agency of Brussels Airport, has been set up.

– Targeted training courses for jobs at the airport for the unemployed and other interested parties have been initiated.

4. Sustainable infrastructure

– The construction of the energy-efficient logistics building at Brucargo West has commenced.

– Energy-efficient fire stations at Brussels Airport will be brought into service.

5. Mobility

– The Ringtrambus will be serving Brussels Airport from September

– The self-driving electric bus will undergo tests next year at Brussels Airport.

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In order to indicate clearly where passengers can declare their goods, Brussels Airport has invested in improving the visibility of the red and green exits (for goods to declare or nothing to declare respectively). Furthermore, Brussels Airport Company also installed new baggage search benches which provide more privacy for travellers if they are checked by customs.

Alexander De Croo, Minister for Finance, said: « Customs officers at Brussels Airport check more than 100,000 passengers on the import and export of goods every year. Thanks to the efforts of Brussels Airport, the customs staff will from now on perform their duties under better conditions, including more privacy for travellers when they are checked. This is a nice improvement for the customs service at Brussels Airport. »

Arnaud Feist, CEO of the Brussels Airport Company, said: “In line with our objective of constantly improving passenger experience at the airport, Brussels Airport has invested in an entirely new customs control zone. This new zone will provide a more pleasant passage through customs for all our passengers and guarantees the necessary privacy in case their baggage is checked. The signage to and visibility of the customs control zone was also improved. This investment offers the customs officers a contemporary and comfortable workplace where they can perform their duties in serenity.”

Just before the holiday season, it is important to make travellers aware of what they can and cannot bring when they return from holiday.

The customs officers who check the luggage of travellers look in particular for:

– Rare plants and animals [CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora].

– Purchases from outside the EU for which import duties and taxes may be due.

– Counterfeit products

– Cigarettes and alcohol subject to strict restrictions

– The documents of pets

– Amounts in cash of more than €10,000

In 2019, Customs will focus in particular on the quantity of cigarettes and alcohol and the presence of CITES products and bushmeat in the baggage.

Some figures on customs controls at Brussels Airport:

In 2018:

• 117,482 travellers from third countries (coming from outside the EU)

• 9,262 Intra-Community travellers (travelling only within the EU)

• 1066 incidents of illegal importation

• 49,578 travellers got a cash check

• €1,740,439 of customs and excise duties and VAT on imported goods 1/2

In 2019:

• 89,428 travellers from third countries (coming from outside the EU) checked

• 6,386 Intra-Community travellers (travelling only within the EU) checked

• 503 cases of illicit imports

• 23,743 travellers were checked for the amount of cash they had on them

• €2,023,019 of customs and excise duties and VAT on imported goods

Forewarned is forearmed, so it is better to bear in mind that Customs will monitor strict compliance with the rules during the holiday period. For more information, travellers can always consult the brochure ‘Wijs op Reis’ [Travel Wisely].

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The RTL INFO editorial team spoke to Anke Fransen, spokeswoman for Brussels Airport, who confirmed that a warning of an attack had indeed been received by e-mail. She also indicated that the federal police had carried out a “thorough” control of the aircraft, but that the warning had indeed been a false alarm.

RTL INFO has also noted that the flight was postponed, and only took off this Thursday morning.

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Over 94,000 passengers, 50,000 of them outbound, are expected at Brussels Airport this Friday. This is the first peak travel day of the year, marking the start of the summer holidays, when over 5 million flyers will pass through our doors. 2.7 million travellers will pass through Brussels Airport in July alone, with no fewer than six days with over 90,000 passengers. The 19th, 26th and 29th of July will be the busiest days of the month. Naturally, Brussels Airport and its partners are well prepared to handle the summer rush.

This summer, European holiday destinations will again be topping the polls. For TUI fly and Brussels Airlines customers, Spain and the Canary Islands are more popular than ever, followed by Greece. Other popular destinations for TUI fly passengers are Tunisia, and Egypt, which has seen the biggest increase in popularity compared to summer 2018, along with Turkey, which is a favourite with families wanting to take advantage of all-inclusive deals. For Brussels Airlines, Porto, Lisbon, Barcelona and Nice are also doing very well.

Entertainment galore

For Brussels Airport it is important that for all these holidaymakers their holiday should start as soon as they enter the terminal. True to its traditions, Brussels Airport will be welcoming these millions of passengers in style. This summer’s theme is Festival Vibes. Since Belgium hosts numerous music festivals over the two summer months, the terminal will be all-singing and all-dancing. Alongside the theme decorations, we provide animation and games for the children in Connector and the piers. Every Thursday in the late afternoon, Toby Jacobs will be treating our passengers to a piano concert. For those in search of a different vibe, DJs will be playing in the Topaz zone between Connector and Pier A on the 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th of July. Finally, a Chill Zone will be open again this summer in hall 2 where festival-goers can relax and unwind.

The kids will be especially spoilt with dedicated animation. Our ‘Family Lane’, decorated in Smurfs colours this summer, will once again be open to help families with small children get smoothly through security screening. Mascots will be around for photo opportunities on some days. On the entertainment side, kids can take part in a treasure hunt from early July.

A major new addition for kids this summer is Kids Corner, open 24/7, which can be found on Pier A, next to Starbucks. Designed for young kids (aged from 0–6) and their parents, this quiet area can be used free of charge to nurse and change babies in a comfortable setting, or even heat up baby food. A second area will offer games and games consoles.

And to make sure passengers enjoy the best possible vacation as of day one, Brussels Airport has some advice:

Advice for a hassle-free departure:

• Download the Brussels Airport app on your smart phone. It’s free, and provides practical information on the airport’s flights, restaurants, and stores, as well as parking.

• Leave for the airport on time

• Decide where to park or be dropped off in advance: the drop-off, P1-P2-P3. Please note that due to works, access to P2 and P3 has been modified.

• Reserve your parking spot in advance on our website

• To save time, check in on-line

• Prepare your hand baggage for security when you arrive at the airport

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The 24,000 employees and 70,000 passengers who set foot in the airport every day generate about fifteen truck loads of waste every day. Plastic bottles, food waste, waste paper, etc. As many sorts of waste that do not always get put in the right bin, leading to waste not being recycled. The many foreign travellers are often not well informed about the Belgian sorting system. As for Belgian passengers, they are not always aware of the sorting possibilities outside of their homes.

« The signing of the Brussels Airport Waste Charter confirms the commitment of 25 companies and airport partners to double their efforts to prevent waste and improve sorting and recycling. This charter shows a clear commitment to significantly increase the recycling rate of all waste generated at the airport by 2023 and cut back the amount of residual waste as much as possible. This is a major challenge for the entire airport community », states Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company.

To achieve this goal, Fost Plus, in collaboration with Brussels Airport Company, will support each company in the development of its own action plan with concrete measures to improve waste management and educate passengers to properly sort their waste at the airport as well.

« At home, sorting has become widely accepted in most households. But once away from home, citizens sometimes tend to forget these good habits. Foreign travellers must also be informed as soon as they step onto Belgian soil, so that they can adopt the right sorting reflexes during their stay. The waste project at Brussels Airport is a model of our sorting policy outside the home. Not only are we responding to ever-increasing on-the-go consumption, but we are also aiming for an increase in waste collection and the recycling rate », confides Patrick Laevers, Managing Director of Fost Plus.

« No fewer than 76% of business waste in Flanders has a ‘second life’ through reuse and recycling. Since 1 June 2018, Flemish companies have to selectively collect waste at source in 21 different streams, including packaging and plastics. This sorting at the source is very important because it is a crucial first step to limiting residual waste, reducing CO2 emissions and adopting the circular economy. This is a strong signal from Brussels Airport Company and participating companies to demonstrate their commitment by encouraging their visitors and customers to participate in quality recycling, » declared Henny De Baets, Deputy Head of the Flemish Waste Management Agency (OVAM).

A Waste Charter with ambitious goals

On 25 June, Brussels Airport Company, Fost Plus, AB Inbev, Air Cargo Belgium, ASBO, Autogrill, Aviapartner, Brussels Airlines, Coca-Cola, DHL, Exki, Facilicom, G4S, Guapa, HRS, International Duty Free (IDF), Interparking, ISS, LSG Skychefs, Mobility Masters, OVAM, Suez, Swissport, TUI Belgium and Ziegler subscribed to the objectives of the Brussels Airport Waste Charter.

The purpose of this charter is to apply the principles of a circular economy to the largest possible extent. To this end, it is important to choose reusable and recyclable products or materials and to properly sort, reuse and recycle all waste.

All signatory airport partners have also committed to making their staff and passengers aware of how to properly sort waste. The final objective of this Waste Charter is to increase the recycling rate of waste generated at the airport to at least 50% by 2023.

Fost Plus, in collaboration with Brussels Airport Company, will conduct an audit at each signatory airport partner to map the current waste sorting organisation. Each company will then receive a tailored action plan to achieve the objectives of the Brussels Airport Waste Charter.

In the past, Brussels Airport and Fost Plus have already collaborated successfully to improve the selective collection of PMD waste (plastic bottles and flasks, metal packaging and drinks cartons) from passengers and employees, particularly by introducing more visible and clearly marked recycling bins, which has since increased from 5 to 174 tonnes.

Concrete pilot project launched in autumn

Companies are not alone in their commitment to better sorting and recycling. Brussels Airport and Fost Plus also want to educate passengers and help them sort better, because only properly sorted waste can be recycled.

Today bottles that are not completely empty often end up in the sorting bins at the security screening. Brussels Airport will place sinks before the screening lanes so that passengers can empty their bottles before disposing of them in the blue bins. This will see more plastic bottles recycled.

At the same time, Brussels Airport will encourage passengers to use as few plastic bottles as possible by offering them an alternative. The water bottle stand after security screening will now offer reusable water bottles for sale. Additional water fountains will be installed in clearly visible locations, allowing passengers to fill their reusable water bottles for free.

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