Brussels Airport (BRU) infrastructure: future

[Stij]

When pax will arrive after the baggage reclaim, the will enter in the whole new build expansion of the terminal.
As I have said before, the Diamant will be demolished and here will be this large new area.

Will the bagage claim area be expanded as well?
I "guess" the area left of the corridor when arriving from the A pier.

Thanks in advance!

[Vic Diesel]

I am not so sure all this will happen..Don't forget the objections from neighbours and other groups..On another subject, nobody thought about our spotting community...Nothing foreseen......Where are the good times when terraces where here, and now more and more foreign airports are helping this hobby...Sad...

As passenger frequently using BRU, I would be happy to see all these plans turn into reality: while beginning with the security check and continuing into the duty free and Terminal A area, the airport is really nice and up to date, the departure hall is charmingly retro at best (though I love the oldschool departures board) and the arrival area after clearing customs is weird, looking crammed and old - swapping THAT for a big hall with lots of natural light will make sure travelers to Brussels have a nice first impression of the country when they arrive.

As for spotters (guilty as charged myself here), spotting areas along 25R were and are not really optimal. You might be able to spot in the area between the new hall and the hotel, although there seem to be glass walls in the way. But let's be clear: you cannot say that BRU would NOT care for spotters: look at the two platforms - the one at 25L/07R was just renovated recently while the one next to 01/19 is even fit for a small family trip with children. The airport frequently organises events where they include spotters (spotting from the apron, unveiling of new special liveries, etc). I know that there are airports that are spotter-friendly (e.g. ZRH!) - and also others that are not (new IST) or where there is simply no real possibility to better cater for spotters (VIE). I would still say BRU is in the upper part of the "middle of the pack", when it comes to spotter-friendliness.

Would I love a spotting terrace overlooking 25R? Of course! P1 is dreadfully far from the rwy and the small parking next to the bus terminus is suboptimal at best - so yes, I would love to finally have a decent place to spot from. Will it happen? Well, spotters are not exactly the ones who are bringing a lot of revenue - on the other hand, they can be helpful in the airport's PR. It will come down to the question if a viewing terrace can be built that is suitable for spotters, while safe for all people using it, all this at not too high costs.

[Atlantis]

The Flemish and federal government are thinking to take over the 30% shares of the Canadian OTPP.
The Canadian OTPP and the Australian Macquarie were negotiating with each other but for Macquarie the price is too high.

The federal wants to invest via SFPIM for an extra 15%
The Flemish wants to invest via PMV for the other 15%

Both parties has to pay 1,3 billion euro for this deal.

All nice and good but Belgium would not be Belgium if there were no issues. The Flemish are fighting with the French MR. According to the MR the Walloon would lose more grip on the airport. Other argument is that there is no money to invest.

[Atlantis]

As there is the new big project at BRU, look in some time also at the military airport Melsbroek. Also there will be a big investment

[Established02]

Very recently, on the building on the left, ASL has been putting small and big signs of 'ASL Engineering'. ASL 737s have been maintained there for many years already. With the building of this 747-sized hangar I could speculate that this new hangar may be used to maintain also the ASL 747s. As far as I know there is no large MRO hangar at LGG. Don't know where the ASL 747s currently go for hangar time.

[BekEBBR]

Very recently, on the building on the left, ASL has been putting small and big signs of 'ASL Engineering'. ASL 737s have been maintained there for many years already. With the building of this 747-sized hangar I could speculate that this new hangar may be used to maintain also the ASL 747s. As far as I know there is no large MRO hangar at LGG. Don't know where the ASL 747s currently go for hangar time.

That hangar is for Sabena Engineering.

[Konus]

Very recently, on the building on the left, ASL has been putting small and big signs of 'ASL Engineering'. ASL 737s have been maintained there for many years already. With the building of this 747-sized hangar I could speculate that this new hangar may be used to maintain also the ASL 747s. As far as I know there is no large MRO hangar at LGG. Don't know where the ASL 747s currently go for hangar time.

ASL 747s are maintained in HHN (Frankfurt - Hahn Airport)

[Established02]

ASL 747s are maintained in HHN (Frankfurt - Hahn Airport)

Thanks, Konus.

According to Grok, ASL would have a maintenance contract with AFI-KLM for their 747s, suggesting CDG or AMS for hangar work. But these Large Language Models are often not correct or not up to date.

[Matthias]

The Flemish government will take over the shares of OTTP and will get 39% of all shares. They paid 2,77B dollars.

https://vrtnws.be/p.Nv9kEvOQa

[brabel]

The Flemish government will take over the shares of OTTP and will get 39% of all shares. They paid 2,77B dollars.

https://vrtnws.be/p.Nv9kEvOQa

So Flemish government has 39%, while federal one has 25%.
And the rest? In the article it says 'small players'.

[Atlantis]

The Flemish government will take over the shares of OTTP and will get 39% of all shares. They paid 2,77B dollars.

https://vrtnws.be/p.Nv9kEvOQa

So Flemish government has 39%, while federal one has 25%.
And the rest? In the article it says 'small players'.

The others, smaller ones, the Dutch Pension funds APG, an Australian investor QIC, The Swiss insurer Swiss Life, the financial partner of the public sector of the State New South Wales in Australia Tcorp and the Japanse funds GPIF. They are shareholders since a couple of years already, they have a total of 36% of the shares.

They are part of the consortium BAISA, where also this Canadian OTTP is in it, they have a total of 75%. OTTP is selling all their shares for the total of 39% and this is now bought by the Flemish government. The Flemish government becomes now part of this consortium BAISA

[lumumba]

That's good the airport is too strategic to leave it in private hands.

[Boavida]

This is very good news. I hope in the future, Flanders will takeover the shares of the federal state as well. As the federal level is (virtually) bankrupt, they could use the money. Win-win.

[lumumba]

This is very good news. I hope in the future, Flanders will takeover the shares of the federal state as well. As the federal level is (virtually) bankrupt, they could use the money. Win-win.

I'm not agree,the federal part has to stay it's also our national airport so the federal investment should stay this money will not change nothing about the depth this has to be a structural solution.

[Conti764]

This is very good news. I hope in the future, Flanders will takeover the shares of the federal state as well. As the federal level is (virtually) bankrupt, they could use the money. Win-win.

It's not like the Flemish government is sitting on a pile of money, either...

[Boavida]

No, but the financial situation of Flanders is much better and structurally healthier than the federal level. So they can afford to invest. Also, rating agencies just degraded the credit rating of Belgium (and Brussels) to A (from AA). Only Flanders keeps the AA rating.

It always pays off to have your finances in order. (maybe other levels of government and certain political parties should take note)

I'm not agree,the federal part has to stay it's also our national airport so the federal investment should stay

The airports of Liège and Charleroi are owned by the Walloon region. I don't see why Zaventem can't be owned by the Flemish region. It could only benefit future investments. The concept of a 'national airport' is pretty outdated and no longer fits Belgium's (con)federal reality.

[lumumba]

No, but the financial situation of Flanders is much better and structurally healthier than the federal level. So they can afford to invest. Also, rating agencies just degraded the credit rating of Belgium (and Brussels) to A (from AA). Only Flanders keeps the AA rating.

It always pays off to have your finances in order. (maybe other levels of government and certain political parties should take note)

I'm not agree,the federal part has to stay it's also our national airport so the federal investment should stay

The airports of Liège and Charleroi are owned by the Walloon region. I don't see why Zaventem can't be owned by the Flemish region. It could only benefit future investments. The concept of a 'national airport' is pretty outdated and no longer fits Belgium's (con)federal reality.

It can, it is now partly, but the federal government can also have a part it's still the airport of the Capital.

I think that Ostende and Antwerp are also owned by the Flemish Region.

[fcw]

It can, it is now partly, but the federal government can also have a part it's still the airport of the Capital.

So then, maybe, the capital region should participate and invest iso contiously whining about a bit of noise.

[lumumba]

It can, it is now partly, but the federal government can also have a part it's still the airport of the Capital.

So then, maybe, the capital region should participate and invest iso contiously whining about a bit of noise.

But it is the most populated region of the country with the highest population density too. Why can't planes fly over Leuven, but Brussels they can?

It's the opposite, it's only possible in Belgium, it's crazy!!!

On the other hand Brussels is being unfairly disadvantaged financially in order to suffocate it by the Flemish Nationalists who want the region to disappear and become part of Flanders.

[Atlantis]

The news is good that they have found a buyer for the shares, but be careful. Politics will be now more involved and we all know that what ever government is involved, it will be difficult to invest further.

The Flemish government has luck that the previous and current shareholders invested this 500 million for the future upgrade.

But what they will do with A Pier West and will they finally construct the long sound wall around the airport?

I have my doubts for the big investments for the coming years. And I'm talking about the new investments bcs they didn't saw anything about this.