Brussels Airport plans 500m euro renovation as passenger numbers continue to grow
Brussels Airport is set to invest 500 million euros in improvements in response to the growing number of passengers. The project includes the expansion and redesign of the arrival and departure halls, a new intermodal transport hub, more green space and a 4-star hotel.
The airport, which processed 24 million passengers in 2024, is forecasting a sharp rise in numbers, with 32 million people expected to use it in 2032. “The current terminal is designed for 28 to 30 million passengers per year,” airport CEO Arnaud Feist said at a press conference on Friday.
“On busy days, the departure and arrival halls are often congested, as is the main concourse, which provides access to the train and bus stations, among other facilities. The Sheraton hotel is almost fully booked for half the year.”
The renovation is intended to provide more spacious, modern and bright areas. In addition, the focus will be on creating a hub for multiple types of transport.
Connections between buses, trains and taxis will be improved and there will be new access to the railway station and better infrastructure for cyclists.
The plan also takes into account the arrival of the planned tram line linking central Brussels to the airport in Zaventem, Flemish Brabant. A new green boulevard will be created, including a dedicated lane for the tram.
There will be a new drop-off zone at departure hall level, behind the Sheraton, separating drop-off traffic from other traffic.
“The airport is an engine of prosperity and a major employer in Flemish Brabant, which also has enormous value for the rest of Flanders and certainly Brussels,” says Ben Weyts, the Flemish minister responsible for the periphery of Brussels. "Large investments in the airport pay off for all of us."
The investment is the largest in 30 years, since the completion of the current terminal and Pier B in the 1990s. The first phase is set to begin at the end of 2026 at the earliest and will run until at least 2032.
#FlandersNewsService | An artist's impression of the revamped Brussels Airport
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