New name for Brussels National Airport

[sn26567]

But I've always thought it was strange that it was called Brussels National Airport instead of Brussels International Airport!

That's because BRU is the only national airport in Belgium. The other airports (ANR, OST, LGG, CRL) are regional airports.

[Comet]

Thanks for the explanation Andre, but other airports run by national companies still use the name "international". In the UK the BAA airports have never been called "National".

Birmingham Airport is not run by a national company, but it is still called Birmingham International Airport.

[yannickvw]

Yeah, but what about Antwerp? Officially "Antwerp International Airport"...yeah right...for the few Fokker 50's, and Falcons or Citations that takeoff and land everyday at the airport? I would prefer to call it "Deurne landing strip" As being from the area around Antwerp, I'm ashamed that the runway still isn't lengtened, after more than 40 years. There's a gold mine ready for expanding and still they don't understand it.
Typically Belgian...I can understand very well that most EBBR enthusiast are pissed off: there's a FANTASTIC modern, airport available, and thanks to politicians and noise-geeks, airlines are still leaving. Welcome in the wonderful world of frustrated air enthusiasts, like me, a die hard EBAW lover...

BTW: check out this site: http://www.vatuv.be
AH, what do I love these people...S-A-R-K-A-S-T-I-C

[Jumbolino]

Of course I would vote for Avroliners Paradise (like a topic onto one of my trip reports)

but now stop joke-ing
What's bad with Brussels International Airport ?
DUS for example is also called Dusseldorf International
and except LTU charter and the BBJ I don't remember any flights there which see the atlantic or pacific ... - ok a few leaving the Schengen Area - maybe that's international enough ? - yeah !

Jumbolino

[Avro]

frustrated air enthusiasts

That's exactly how I feel for the moment

BTW welcome on Luchtzak yannickvw

Chris
8)

[Skystef]

I've always wondered why the name Bussels National Airport was chosen (previously Zaventem) instead of Brussels International Airport.

Back in 1946 with the foundation of the RLW, Melsbroek was called Brussels National because of the central caracter of the Airport. In Sept. 1947 Brussels National was assigned, and ICAO code became ONBR.
After that all name proposals went in the trash basket, and in the case of Brussels International, it was put aside because of linguistic problems. The Flemish didn't like the word "Brussels" in the airports name.
The same kind of trouble arose in the eighties with the introduction of the Brucargo site. The signs on the road were quickly repainted by the Flemish group to the word "Cargo" alone.

SS

[SN30952]

The Flemish didn't like the word "Brussels" in the airports name. The same kind of trouble arose in the eighties with the introduction of the Brucargo site. The signs on the road were quickly repainted by the Flemish group to the word "Cargo" alone. SS

Yes, indeed... And it was particularly stupid to put roadsign showing "Bussels', pointing in the opposite direction of Brussels...
Remembers me, that when leaving St Louis Airport, there was also a roadsign showing Brussels 101miles...

[Jester]

Everybody knows Antwerp is the centre of the universe so let's go :

RYANAIR STYLE

Rename Brussels National to :

ANTWERP SOUTH

:dance:

[sn26567]

After that all name proposals went in the trash basket, and in the case of Brussels International, it was put aside because of linguistic problems. The Flemish didn't like the word "Brussels" in the airports name.
The same kind of trouble arose in the eighties with the introduction of the Brucargo site. The signs on the road were quickly repainted by the Flemish group to the word "Cargo" alone.

I find this particularly absurd and narrow-minded. Zaventem is THE airport for Brussels and the NATIONAL airport for Belgium. It is just a coincidence that it is situated in Flanders. Therefore, the road signs should show "Brussels National" (and "BRUcargo") with a small aeroplane picture, and not Zaventem (or just "Cargo"). Foreigners do not necessarily know that Zaventem is the little village where the airport is located.

In the same way, Bierset is always indicated as "Liège + plane picture", Gosselies as "Charleroi + plane picture" and Deurne as "Antwerpen + plane picture" on road signs. Why should Zaventem "Brussels National" be an exception?

P.S. I wonder why some people in Flanders object to the name Brussels in the name of the airport. Isn't Brussels the capital of Flanders anymore?

[SkyJet]

Following the collapse of Sobelair,
this must be the apropriate name :

BAC - Brussels Airline Cemetary

[Dorfmeister]

Following the collapse of Sobelair,
this must be the apropriate name :

BAC - Brussels Airline Cemetary

Or BIAC Brussels International Airline Cemetary.