Brussels Airport (BRU) infrastructure: future

[Stij]

I just arrived, the electronic gates were not working.I had one hour and fifteen minutes in the line!
To arrive in brussels for me it's easier to transit through frankfurt.

From ASIA, I always do a stop in MUC, FRA or VIE for the same reason

I don't get it...

I agree immigration is a complete mess and something should be done about it ASAP.

But going to immigration in another airport adding a transfer isn't going to save you time and in increases your risk for missed connections and bags.

But it's a free world!

[Lux_avi]

I just arrived, the electronic gates were not working.I had one hour and fifteen minutes in the line!
To arrive in brussels for me it's easier to transit through frankfurt.

From ASIA, I always do a stop in MUC, FRA or VIE for the same reason

I don't get it...

I agree immigration is a complete mess and something should be done about it ASAP.

But going to immigration in another airport adding a transfer isn't going to save you time and in increases your risk for missed connections and bags.

But it's a free world!

Standing in the immigration queue for 3-4 hours in that area is just awful.
Everybody is tired, nervous, mad.

I personally understand why a stop at MUC/FRA/VIE or wherever makes your trip more comfortable than risking that queue in BRU.

I do the same (but then mostly don't connect to BRU anymore, I take the train from CDG/AMS/FRA).

[JOVAN2]

From ASIA, I always do a stop in MUC, FRA or VIE for the same reason

I don't get it...

I agree immigration is a complete mess and something should be done about it ASAP.

But going to immigration in another airport adding a transfer isn't going to save you time and in increases your risk for missed connections and bags.

But it's a free world!

Standing in the immigration queue for 3-4 hours in that area is just awful.
Everybody is tired, nervous, mad.

I personally understand why a stop at MUC/FRA/VIE or wherever makes your trip more comfortable than risking that queue in BRU.

I do the same (but then mostly don't connect to BRU anymore, I take the train from CDG/AMS/FRA).

I do the same via VIE already for years. Smooth and convenient. Very good airport with sufficient immigration counters.

The mess at BRU has only become worse.
Like the security check at departure, BRU should ask private companies to yake care of passport control at arrival non-schengen.

[rwandan-flyer]

I don't get it...

I agree immigration is a complete mess and something should be done about it ASAP.

But going to immigration in another airport adding a transfer isn't going to save you time and in increases your risk for missed connections and bags.

But it's a free world!

Standing in the immigration queue for 3-4 hours in that area is just awful.
Everybody is tired, nervous, mad.

I personally understand why a stop at MUC/FRA/VIE or wherever makes your trip more comfortable than risking that queue in BRU.

I do the same (but then mostly don't connect to BRU anymore, I take the train from CDG/AMS/FRA).

I do the same via VIE already for years. Smooth and convenient. Very good airport with sufficient immigration counters.

The mess at BRU has only become worse.
Like the security check at departure, BRU should ask private companies to yake care of passport control at arrival non-schengen.

UE creates rules, States have to implent them and hire more staff. Boarder control is the responsibility of the Governement not the airport.

At Brussels Airport, border control operations are managed by the Belgian Federal Police (Aviation Police) under the authority of the federal government departments for Home Affairs and Asylum and Migration, working alongside EU border mechanisms like Frontex. https://www.google.com/search?q=boarder ... s-wiz-serp

You can't ask to a private company to this job, because you have to be a sworn officer to access to several systems such as Schengen Information System (https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/polic ... it-work_en)


Vienna has also some troubles (pobably less than BRU). The longest waiting time was in april 2026, with 180 min. However it doesn't mean that every day is smooth. They had probably others bad day. BRU is 300 min but mainly due to Egate software power outage (https://eesqueue.com/airport/brussels-airport)


You have probably used the airport between 2 very big rushes. Then, bigs airports have several immigration kiosks scattered across the airport depending where you arrive and where you next flight leaves, passenger flow and connecting time won't be the same.

At Cdg if you arrive with Air France HOP (2G) or Air France Mainline (2F), you won't use the same way, if you have to go to the 2E for Air France Long Haul flights. Most complains at CDG (with photos) are Terminal 2E (if you trip starts from Paris) and Terminal 1. Not many complaints for T2G, T2A/B/C and T3.

Most of SkyTeam airlines (Kenya Airways, Saudia, MEA, Aeromexico, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines) have decided to leave the T2E due to the mess. Olny Delta, China Eastern and Korean Air still using T2E.

Current known issues: Real enrolment runs >2 min/pax; 3-hr peaks caused missed flights on 13-14 Apr; Austria invoked EU flexibility to skip fingerprints during surges; extra kiosks planned mid-July

Worst reported queue: 180 min — 13-14 April 2026 (3h, missed flights).

https://eesqueue.com/airport/vienna-airport

[Atlantis]

Finally, after many years, the construction starts for the new engine test run.

The construction is on the place where recently some old buildings were demolished.

The total area will be 8.000 square meter with sound panels up to 15 meters high.

At the moment they are working on the foundation, later the ground layers and at the end the sound panels. The finalization will be end March 2027.

Especially people living in Humelgem and Zaventem will be protected from that test sounds.

The new place will also be suitable for the A350 and B787.

[lumumba]

Just as an aside, I went through Lisbon this morning during rush hour and it took a minute to get through passport control. I think, if I counted correctly, they have 50 automated machines.
Why is this not possible in BRU!?!?

[Atlantis]

As reported already earlier, all 33 airbridges of the A Pier will be renovated.

The first one who will go is A57 and will be back at the beginning of 2027.

[Conti764]

Standing in the immigration queue for 3-4 hours in that area is just awful.
Everybody is tired, nervous, mad.

I personally understand why a stop at MUC/FRA/VIE or wherever makes your trip more comfortable than risking that queue in BRU.

I do the same (but then mostly don't connect to BRU anymore, I take the train from CDG/AMS/FRA).

I do the same via VIE already for years. Smooth and convenient. Very good airport with sufficient immigration counters.

The mess at BRU has only become worse.
Like the security check at departure, BRU should ask private companies to yake care of passport control at arrival non-schengen.

UE creates rules, States have to implent them and hire more staff. Boarder control is the responsibility of the Governement not the airport.

At Brussels Airport, border control operations are managed by the Belgian Federal Police (Aviation Police) under the authority of the federal government departments for Home Affairs and Asylum and Migration, working alongside EU border mechanisms like Frontex. https://www.google.com/search?q=boarder ... s-wiz-serp

You can't ask to a private company to this job, because you have to be a sworn officer to access to several systems such as Schengen Information System (https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/polic ... it-work_en)


Vienna has also some troubles (pobably less than BRU). The longest waiting time was in april 2026, with 180 min. However it doesn't mean that every day is smooth. They had probably others bad day. BRU is 300 min but mainly due to Egate software power outage (https://eesqueue.com/airport/brussels-airport)


You have probably used the airport between 2 very big rushes. Then, bigs airports have several immigration kiosks scattered across the airport depending where you arrive and where you next flight leaves, passenger flow and connecting time won't be the same.

At Cdg if you arrive with Air France HOP (2G) or Air France Mainline (2F), you won't use the same way, if you have to go to the 2E for Air France Long Haul flights. Most complains at CDG (with photos) are Terminal 2E (if you trip starts from Paris) and Terminal 1. Not many complaints for T2G, T2A/B/C and T3.

Most of SkyTeam airlines (Kenya Airways, Saudia, MEA, Aeromexico, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines) have decided to leave the T2E due to the mess. Olny Delta, China Eastern and Korean Air still using T2E.

Current known issues: Real enrolment runs >2 min/pax; 3-hr peaks caused missed flights on 13-14 Apr; Austria invoked EU flexibility to skip fingerprints during surges; extra kiosks planned mid-July

Worst reported queue: 180 min — 13-14 April 2026 (3h, missed flights).

https://eesqueue.com/airport/vienna-airport

About the long queuing times at arrivals, things are going to change in the future. No details yet, but the bordercontrol will be enlarged.

[Established02]

There seem to be indications that Building 45 -the former Thomas Cook building on the Ringlaan- may be getting a new tenant.

[JOVAN2]

There seem to be indications that Building 45 -the former Thomas Cook building on the Ringlaan- may be getting a new tenant.

Happy to learn this eventual good news.

The bad news that the waiting times for non-Schengen arrival passengers is now about 5 hours as reported by aviation24.be
BRU therefore becomes almost irrelevant as an intercontinental airport.

[Airbus330lover]

As previously said, I avoid BRU for Schengen entry. As EU citizen, it can also take a lot of time due to technical problems with the e-gates. MUC, VIE, ZRH can handle it in 5 min max.

[brabel]

As previously said, I avoid BRU for Schengen entry. As EU citizen, it can also take a lot of time due to technical problems with the e-gates. MUC, VIE, ZRH can handle it in 5 min max.

I fly many times from BRU as a EU citizen. I always find the e-gates working and it always goes smoothly.
Or I'm lucky... Or you are unlucky.
The non-EU passport holders on the other hand... Always long queue indeed.
But it can be worse:
I was in Comores recently with 15 people on the plane and yet I waited more than an hour.

[Boavida]

When will the new drop-off open? It was foreseen in october 2026, right?

At last some new infrastructure for the overall outdated airport... Let's hope the works for the rest (terminal expansion, etc) will start asap as it's much, much overdue.

[Atlantis]

The BRU bashers are again very active.

Being outdated...did you ever went via Lisbon, any Italian airport? There you will see very outdated airports. VIE is even very crowded and too small for the amount of pax.

[lumumba]

The BRU bashers are again very active.

Being outdated...did you ever went via Lisbon, any Italian airport? There you will see very outdated airports. VIE is even very crowded and too small for the amount of pax.

It's true, Brussels is a comfortable and modern airport, that's not the problem

[Conti764]

When will the new drop-off open? It was foreseen in october 2026, right?

At last some new infrastructure for the overall outdated airport... Let's hope the works for the rest (terminal expansion, etc) will start asap as it's much, much overdue.

The only thing 'outdated' is the arrival hall which will be dealth with, with the terminal expansion. After 25 years the A-pier still looks very modern. The B-pier shows its age more but after renovations still looks okay. The terminal in morning hours is struggling with capacity but all in all still acceptable.

[Stij]

The only major problem with BRU is upon arrival... The wait at the border control, sometimes the exaggerated wait for your luggage and during rush hours the too narrow corridor after customs.

[Airbus330lover]

The BRU bashers are again very active.

Being outdated...did you ever went via Lisbon, any Italian airport? There you will see very outdated airports. VIE is even very crowded and too small for the amount of pax.

You said VIE? crowded, perhaps but... never seen a queue it the custom or immigration

[BrightCedars]

Honestly I like Brussels airport. I do understand the new EU EES is adding to some problems that had been partially tackled and is causing long queues which is not a friendly welcome (and sometimes goodbye) to foreign visitors. Fortunately I am Belgian and my wife has a Belgian residency so we usually do not suffer those. And we have suffered this on several occasions in places around the world where waiting an hour (JFK, BKK) or several hours (AKL, KUL) is not uncommon. I must admit nowadays in CGK & DPS I go thru the e-gates so fast that the luggage is becoming the time consuming spot again.

Concerning capacity, the airport should convince airlines to operate afternoon and evening waves to spread the long haul traffic mor evenly throughout the day. The extension of the A-pier should be considered medium term, alongside a longer term vision for a C-pier where the satellite used to be, if there is enough space there. The home carrier, which needs to retake that crown, ought to build an evening Africa wave. It will not connect to the transatlantic network but still feed the European afternoon and evening waves. Of course shifting the JFK and taking over a YUL rotation in the evening would help with that, and catch a portion of European traffic from the LH group hubs.

[Atlantis]

One of the problems is lack of a strong home carrier. A market share of only 37% is not high. A big part of the fleet is flying leisure destinations. You lose the opportunity to fly more business destinations.
With only 11 long haul planes, you will not create too much waves.
The congestion during the morning is caused partially by the slot coordinator. If there would be better communication between slit, airport and airlines, it would look different.

Second. The congestion at arrival and border control could be solved if finally they would consider A-pier West and make from it the Star Alliance pier. At that place they could organize the border control for those flights. You will keep them away from the B-Pier. Just like they do at the T-gates.

Third, as I proposed already a few times, transform the satellite again in a leisure only pier. This will free up needed space at the A-pier.