aviation - the past, present and future of flight

It is now working closely with Eurowings to

develop the business and Brussels Airlines

recently closed its Thomas Cook Airlines

Belgium leisure unit. The routes were

transferred to Brussels Airlines.

In order to compete more effectively

across its network, Brussels Airlines adapted

itself to what it called “a hybrid airline which

offers a high value for money solution for

all market segments and budgets, without

having to compromise”. It recently retired

the last of its Avro RJs and is now  ying an

all-Airbus  eet, supported by partner carriers

such as bmi regional and CityJet using

Embraer ERJ 135s and Sukhoi Superjets.

The presence of Brussles Airlines has

been important to the airport and its growth

will support the future vision of the site.

In addition to the home airline, Brussels

has seen a growing number of services from

across Europe and the rest of the world.

Long-haul carriers include Air Canada, All

Nippon Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates,

Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Hainan Airlines,

Qatar Airways and Thai Airways, with

signi cant growth in this sector over the past

 ve years. This comes despite the loss of

Jet Airways, which transplanted its  ights to

Amsterdam Schiphol in March 2016.

Other airlines with many daily  ights at the

airport include Royal Air Maroc and Turkish

Airlines, connecting to the large number of

Moroccans and Turks living in Belgium.

Despite seeing a small drop in passenger

 gures in 2016, owing to the bombing attacks,

Brussels Airport was in record-breaking

form last year. The airport announced on

January 8 that the 2017 passenger total was

24,783,911 – 13.6% higher than in 2016 (21.8

million passengers) and 5.6% higher than

the previous record year of 2015 (23.5 million

passengers).

There was more positive news from

the Belgium hub on January 10, when it

was announced that Hainan Airlines would

connect the airport to the major Chinese

city of Shenzhen. The route is due to start

operations on March 20 and will be operated

by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

ENVIRONMENT

Addressing environmental problems has

now become a top priority. Since 2000 noise

pollution has reduced by 66%, partly due

to investments in sound barriers and the

imposition of  nes by the Brussels Capital

Region on night  ights taking certain paths

over the city. The trend towards modern,

quieter aircraft has also helped.

In the latest report on this subject by

the airport, published in July 2017, it said it

intended to become carbon neutral during

this year, thanks to measures including

driving down emissions and off-setting

what does remain through solar power

generation and alternative energy sources,

reducing power consumption and using

vehicles powered by less harmful fuels. CEO

Arnaud Feist commented: “Sustainability is

a key component of our strategy. As such,

this decision to arrive at carbon-neutrality

is embedded as part of a broad, all-

encompassing environmental strategy.”

Despite the tragic setback of terrorism,

the loss of important carriers and rivalry from

neighbouring airports, Brussels is thriving

as it sets in motion further modernisation

and development. The strategic vision for

2040 will provide opportunity for growth. It

is an excellent example of passenger, cargo

and military operations existing side-by-side.

Enthusiasts will enjoy dedicated viewing

platforms and passengers some of Europe’s

most modern terminal facilities.

http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 69

FACILITIES FOR ENTHUSIASTS

Brussels Airport embraces its aircraft enthusiast

community and is developing facilities for those who

wish to come and watch the movements.

One of the areas that aircraft photographers in

particular like to congregate is near a detention

centre at Steenokkerzeel, alongside Runway

07R/25L. In this area a new spotter’s platform has

recently been approved to give an elevated view

over the fence, with places to sit, and provide a car

park. Another platform will also be constructed in

Zaventem with an unobstructed view of Runway

01/19. Both should be open this spring.

An impression of the two aviation enthusiast

platforms offering elevated views over

the runways at Brussels. Brussels Airport

Company

Despite the terrorist attacks, Brussels Airport

continues to embrace its enthusiast community

by providing dedicated viewing areas and regular

communications. Brussels Airport Company

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