Brussels Airport (BRU) infrastructure: future

[luchtzak]

Brussels Airport has just acquired the Sheraton Airport hotel, that's the hotel just across the terminal building: https://www.aviation24.be/airports/brus ... ort-hotel/

[JOVAN]

The REASON why the queue is there and so long:
the young guys and girls in green polo, with " can I help you ?." on the back are NOT DOING THERE JOB.

I pass through this passport control 3 times a month, and share your opinion 100%!

I wrote to Mr. Feist about it; he admits the problem and declared to do something about it.

I travel next week via Pier B. Will see the improvements.

Anybody positive experience lately ???

[Matt]

The REASON why the queue is there and so long:
the young guys and girls in green polo, with " can I help you ?." on the back are NOT DOING THERE JOB.

I pass through this passport control 3 times a month, and share your opinion 100%!

I wrote to Mr. Feist about it; he admits the problem and declared to do something about it.

I travel next week via Pier B. Will see the improvements.

Anybody positive experience lately ???

I used this this passport control in December, no problem.

HOWEVER, on the return I waited an hour (!!!) to get back into Belgium. It was a Saturday morning on a return flight from JFK (with Delta). The border control was a mess, the automatic gates weren't working, and apparently they rarely work... So everything was to be done manually. An hour to get into my own country.

[gumblebee]

The REASON why the queue is there and so long:
the young guys and girls in green polo, with " can I help you ?." on the back are NOT DOING THERE JOB.

I pass through this passport control 3 times a month, and share your opinion 100%!

I wrote to Mr. Feist about it; he admits the problem and declared to do something about it.

I travel next week via Pier B. Will see the improvements.

Anybody positive experience lately ???

I arrived early this morning. There was indeed a young lad, directing the people the right way.

The automatic gates were working, one of the gates was free when I got there, no queue at all.

Went like a dream.

If you want to complain, it was a long walk from the gate, and they had blocked the last travellator (expecting queues later on perhaps). Also, I had to try several times before the machine for selling train tickets accepted my debit card.


Amsterdam on the other hand, where I started my trip late last year : the queues for passport control were long (about 25 min. before I got to the automatic gates), and the setup was bizare : they actually had 2 queues crossing so they needed somebody for traffic control, to alternately halt one queue to let the other one pass. On top of that it was poorly signposted, I had to ask to find the right queue.

[luchtzak]

Already promised in 2017, then 2018, TSA pre-check facilities at Brussels Airport will not arrive in the near future, RTBF.be knows: https://www.rtbf.be/info/belgique/detai ... d=10124339

[Trainferry]

It seems that the first of the new electric buses arrived this morning. Spotted at Melsbroek, in front of the entrance of airside:

[luchtzak]

Look exactly like the ones they ordered

https://www.aviation24.be/airports/brus ... inese-byd/

Another bus dd 11 January

[shockcooling]

What are they renewing at the 'ringroad'? Something special?

[luchtzak]

What are they renewing at the 'ringroad'? Something special?

New surface, new drains and a bike lane

[RoryGus]

Are they looking to replace all the current busses with electric ones at Brussels airport btw?

[flightlover]

Are they looking to replace all the current busses with electric ones at Brussels airport btw?

Pax bussing on tarmac will be fully electric in a few weeks (if all goes to plan)

[Passenger]

Brussels Airport has just acquired the Sheraton Airport hotel, that's the hotel just across the terminal building: https://www.aviation24.be/airports/brus ... ort-hotel/

European Commission clears the acquisition of joint control over the hotel Sheraton Brussels Airport by Brussels Airport Company and Marriott

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over Airhotel Belgium BVBA (“Airhotel”) by Brussels Airport Company NV (“BAC”), both of Belgium and Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) of the US. Airhotel isthe owner of the Sheraton Brussels Airport, a hotel located on the Brussels Airport site, located in Zaventem, Belgium.BAC is theowner and operator of the Brussels Airport. Marriott isa diversified hospitality company, which acts as a manager and franchisor of hotels and timeshare properties. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because of the limited impact it would have on the market. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9245.
http://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade ... e=2_M_9245

[Sai]

Refurbishment of customs zone in baggage reclaim hall: Work commencing on 25/03:
The baggage reclaim hall zone in which customs and the passageway to the arrivals hall are located, is receiving a thorough makeover.
Specifically, work is being carried out on various aspects:
- Inviting new look & feel
- One central exit for all passengers: no longer a distinction between passengers who have travelled inside or outside the EU.
- A wider passageway that will ensure a smoother flow.
- Increased privacy for travellers who are approached for a customs inspection.
- Improved customs offices

The works will commence on 25 March and be completed prior to the summer holidays. The zone will remain accessible and passenger flow unaffected throughout the works, although certain parts of the zone will be hidden behind a construction site wall.
Revised signage will be provided.
A storage area for luggage trolleys is also located in the area that is undergoing refurbishment. The trolleys will be distributed throughout other parts of the baggage reclaim hall.
Source: Airport Community App (Airportlabs) of BRU

[luchtzak]

This morning, the automated passport scanners at Brussels Airport arrivals level were broken (again). The queues were still ok but the - most likely - expensive things should work.

[TLspotting]

Expansion of car park P3 at Brussels Airport with 2,088 parking spaces

https://www.aviation24.be/airports/brus ... ng-spaces/

[Atlantis]

The future extension of A-Pier West will not be within 5 years. There are many delays due to bureaucracy and external factors. Latest update

[Inquirer]

The future extension of A-Pier West will not be within 5 years. There are many delays due to bureaucracy and external factors. Latest update

That's a pitty, because the airport is lacking gates during the morning hours!

Any update on what exactly is holding back the start of the construction works, Atlantis?

[Stij]

My bet? Uncertainty about Brussels Airlines long haul plans…

Cheers,

Stij

[nordikcam]

My bet? Uncertainty about Brussels Airlines long haul plans…

Cheers,

Stij

But that could mean that there are fleet expansion plans or long-haul routes at SN ... can they be called back to me? I do not remember...

[KriVa]

I’d wager it’s more likely the other way around. Doubts exist whether SN will keep on existing at all. EW isn’t exactly doing well, and since SN will be integrated into that group, who knows what will happen if it goes belly up.
Big if, of course.