Reopening Brussels Airport after the 22/03/2016 terror attacks

[Tompompier]

Yes lumumba, and if you call SN they'll reply the same as KL... You mix a general advice with a personal one. I guess if you look long enough for a reason, you will always find a reason to 'prove' your point...

Not at all I realy hope they tell me the same at Brussels Airlines today .
But no,I called them and they told me that I HAVE to be there 3 hours in advance .
I would travel true Brussels,it's the easiest airport for me .

Then I invite you to give it a try, instead of guessing around and whining about the reduced services @BRU. Give it a try, and convince yourself.

Tompompier

[lumumba]

Yes lumumba, and if you call SN they'll reply the same as KL... You mix a general advice with a personal one. I guess if you look long enough for a reason, you will always find a reason to 'prove' your point...

Not at all I realy hope they tell me the same at Brussels Airlines today .
But no,I called them and they told me that I HAVE to be there 3 hours in advance .
I would travel true Brussels,it's the easiest airport for me .

Then I invite you to give it a try, instead of guessing around and whining about the reduced services @BRU. Give it a try, and convince yourself.

Tompompier

Ok I will but I will not come 2 or 3 hours in advance but I will do it.

[DannyVDB]

Hi all,

Regarding the question, do you really need the three hours, my answer is: no. I didn't need the two hours they advised before the attacs either !

I went to FRA last Tuesday and this is what I did.

06:45 - Leaving home
07:00 - On the train
07:12-07:20 small delay (train was there but was waiting for godot )
07:45 - arrival in zaventem
08:07 - arrival at entrance of the airport (first tent)
08:35 - checked in my small luggage and went through all security checks
08:40 - arrival at The Loft, eating a croissant and dirnking coffee
...
11:05 - plane will leave for FRA (to connect to OTP), so I can work !
Danny

Doing the same to AMS or CDG would not work with this scheme. It would also have worked if I would have used the car instead, on Tuesday, because there were no serious queus at all.

On the other hand I will at least temporary adapt my behaviour and not leave at the last moment [I once made it from my bed (did not hear my wake-up call) to the plane in 55', from 6:30-7:25 ... Not good for my heart ]

I leave this evening to Addis Ababa with ET and I ask my wife to drop me as close as possible to the round-about in Zaventem; the rest I will walk ...

It is all acceptable for me: being earlier I can work, read, sleep, ... whatever.

Things will change over time ...

Cheers,
Danny

[DannyVDB]

I forgot to mention the load factors:

Outgoing flight was around 70% ...

Yesterday I returned from MUC: it was a E195 (120 seats), 85 pax on-board, so also 70%.

Cheers,
Danny

[Poiu]

Hi all,

Regarding the question, do you really need the three hours, my answer is: no. I didn't need the two hours they advised before the attacs either !

I went to FRA last Tuesday and this is what I did.

06:45 - Leaving home
07:00 - On the train
07:12-07:20 small delay (train was there but was waiting for godot )
07:45 - arrival in zaventem
08:07 - arrival at entrance of the airport (first tent)
08:35 - checked in my small luggage and went through all security checks
08:40 - arrival at The Loft, eating a croissant and dirnking coffee
...
11:05 - plane will leave for FRA (to connect to OTP), so I can work !
Danny

Doing the same to AMS or CDG would not work with this scheme. It would also have worked if I would have used the car instead, on Tuesday, because there were no serious queus at all.

You would have quicker from AMS/CDG as they have non stop flights to OTP.
You have to compare travel times between home and OTP, not travel time from home to BRU/AMS/CDG.

[RoMax]

You would have quicker from AMS/CDG as they have non stop flights to OTP.
You have to compare travel times between home and OTP, not travel time from home to BRU/AMS/CDG.

BRU also has flights to/from OTP. If he flies through FRA, I assume it's because he is a LH/M&M frequent flyer, so then no AMS/CDG are no better options.

[Inquirer]

You would have quicker from AMS/CDG as they have non stop flights to OTP.
You have to compare travel times between home and OTP, not travel time from home to BRU/AMS/CDG.

BRU also has flights to/from OTP. If he flies through FRA, I assume it's because he is a LH/M&M frequent flyer, so then no AMS/CDG are no better options.

indeed: corporate flying needs to happen with certain airlines only, at my place too.

During the closure of BRU, we relocated part of our frequently flying auditing staff (including me) to our offices in Zurich (and put them up in hotels) because it was the most convenient way to continue flying on the airlines of the Lufthansa cluster. Working from Brussels and traveling throughout Europe via Paris or Amsterdam for a week or two (without any of the flexibility, convenience, or comfort benefits we get as top clients): you got to be kidding me! I suppose the same goes for DannyVDB's company too.

[sn26567]

Joint statement of the stakeholders of Brussels Airport (airlines, Belgian regions) expressing their faith in the future:

https://www.belcham.org/system/files/Fi ... 160415.pdf

[sn26567]

Ryanair update on Brussels flights

Due to the recent events at Brussels Airport, please find below Ryanair’s statement relating to scheduled services from Brussels Zaventem:

“Brussels Zaventem Airport has reopened, although with some restrictions and the majority of Ryanair’s Brussels Zaventem flights have resumed operations.

Our Brussels Zaventem flights to/from Dublin will continue to operate to/from Brussels Charleroi, up to and including Monday, 2nd May. Customers booked to fly from Brussels on this route should make their way to Brussels Charleroi, arrive at least 3 hours before their flight and allow extra time for additional security checks.

Our Brussels flights to/from Berlin, Malaga, Palma and Venice Treviso will operate to/from either Zaventem or Charleroi depending on slots. Customers should check the status of their flight on the Ryanair.com website before leaving for the airport.”

https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-in ... -reopening

[Passenger]

Ryanair update on Brussels flights
Due to the recent events at Brussels Airport, please find below Ryanair’s statement relating to scheduled services from Brussels Zaventem:
“Brussels Zaventem Airport has reopened, although with some restrictions and the majority of Ryanair’s Brussels Zaventem flights have resumed operations.
Our Brussels Zaventem flights to/from Dublin will continue to operate to/from Brussels Charleroi, up to and including Monday, 2nd May. Customers booked to fly from Brussels on this route should make their way to Brussels Charleroi, arrive at least 3 hours before their flight and allow extra time for additional security checks.
Our Brussels flights to/from Berlin, Malaga, Palma and Venice Treviso will operate to/from either Zaventem or Charleroi depending on slots. Customers should check the status of their flight on the Ryanair.com website before leaving for the airport.”
https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-in ... -reopening

The same lie, over and over and over again: "Customers booked to fly from Brussels on this route should make their way to Brussels Charleroi".

They should not. The flights Brussels-Dublin are cancelled. No discussion about that: cancelled. According to EU Rule 261/2004, passengers then have the right to choose between a cancellation/refund and a rerouting, example a flight Charleroi-Dublin. Repeat: the passengers have to right to accept or refuse that Ryanair proposal.

[lumumba]

Ryanair update on Brussels flights
Due to the recent events at Brussels Airport, please find below Ryanair’s statement relating to scheduled services from Brussels Zaventem:
“Brussels Zaventem Airport has reopened, although with some restrictions and the majority of Ryanair’s Brussels Zaventem flights have resumed operations.
Our Brussels Zaventem flights to/from Dublin will continue to operate to/from Brussels Charleroi, up to and including Monday, 2nd May. Customers booked to fly from Brussels on this route should make their way to Brussels Charleroi, arrive at least 3 hours before their flight and allow extra time for additional security checks.
Our Brussels flights to/from Berlin, Malaga, Palma and Venice Treviso will operate to/from either Zaventem or Charleroi depending on slots. Customers should check the status of their flight on the Ryanair.com website before leaving for the airport.”
https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-in ... -reopening

The same lie, over and over and over again: "Customers booked to fly from Brussels on this route should make their way to Brussels Charleroi".

They should not. The flights Brussels-Dublin are cancelled. No discussion about that: cancelled. According to EU Rule 261/2004, passengers then have the right to choose between a cancellation/refund and a rerouting, example a flight Charleroi-Dublin. Repeat: the passengers have to right to accept or refuse that Ryanair proposal.

I understand but what is the problem here Charleroi is there base and it's easy for them and the passengers .

In our office is everybody flying from Charleroi for all the European destinations for the moment!

[DannyVDB]

Hi all,

Regarding the question, do you really need the three hours, my answer is: no. I didn't need the two hours they advised before the attacs either !

I went to FRA last Tuesday and this is what I did.

06:45 - Leaving home
07:00 - On the train
07:12-07:20 small delay (train was there but was waiting for godot )
07:45 - arrival in zaventem
08:07 - arrival at entrance of the airport (first tent)
08:35 - checked in my small luggage and went through all security checks
08:40 - arrival at The Loft, eating a croissant and dirnking coffee
...
11:05 - plane will leave for FRA (to connect to OTP), so I can work !
Danny

Doing the same to AMS or CDG would not work with this scheme. It would also have worked if I would have used the car instead, on Tuesday, because there were no serious queus at all.

You would have quicker from AMS/CDG as they have non stop flights to OTP.
You have to compare travel times between home and OTP, not travel time from home to BRU/AMS/CDG.

Yes I have to compare travel time between home-BRU (arrival in terminal) with exactly the same when I go to AMS because we were discussing the need to be there 3h in advance, the terrible waiting times, etc. I just say it is not always the case you need this, it is often going quite smoothly, not more not less.

I could indeed also have taken the direct flight to OTP from BRU but 1) at the time of booking I was not sure they were offered from BRU and 2) the timing of the direct flights did not match a series of boundary conditions for me, for this particular case (e.g. needed to see someone the evening in Bucharest which was not possible with the Tarom flight) ...

Going to AMS from Leuven takes me always 2.5-3h (if everything goes smoothly), so it is no option for me ... Same for CDG by the way ...

Cheers,
Danny

[sean1982]

Ryanair update on Brussels flights
Due to the recent events at Brussels Airport, please find below Ryanair’s statement relating to scheduled services from Brussels Zaventem:
“Brussels Zaventem Airport has reopened, although with some restrictions and the majority of Ryanair’s Brussels Zaventem flights have resumed operations.
Our Brussels Zaventem flights to/from Dublin will continue to operate to/from Brussels Charleroi, up to and including Monday, 2nd May. Customers booked to fly from Brussels on this route should make their way to Brussels Charleroi, arrive at least 3 hours before their flight and allow extra time for additional security checks.
Our Brussels flights to/from Berlin, Malaga, Palma and Venice Treviso will operate to/from either Zaventem or Charleroi depending on slots. Customers should check the status of their flight on the Ryanair.com website before leaving for the airport.”
https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-in ... -reopening

The same lie, over and over and over again: "Customers booked to fly from Brussels on this route should make their way to Brussels Charleroi".

They should not. The flights Brussels-Dublin are cancelled. No discussion about that: cancelled. According to EU Rule 261/2004, passengers then have the right to choose between a cancellation/refund and a rerouting, example a flight Charleroi-Dublin. Repeat: the passengers have to right to accept or refuse that Ryanair proposal.

Which they can as was proven by ostair in another topic. Take a chill pill, you'll die of a heartattack

Don't know if its on topic but seems that the Dublin flights from BRU are diverted to CRL at least until 03/05.

A friend of mine got a sms/email saying that his morning flight at BRU is changed to CRL @30/04.
The option is a refund...there is no option to book a later flight the same day from BRU.

[Passenger]

The above post from ostair just confirms that Ryanair doesn't respect EU-Rule 261/2004.

European legislation says that passengers shall be offered the choice between reimbursement or re-routing "under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at a later date at the passenger's convenience, subject to availability of seats".

The post from ostair makes clear that Ryanair doesn't respect the clause "at the passenger's convenience": it's a refund or a flight CRL-DUB on 30 April. Even if the original flight was booked/paid/confirmed for 30th April, the cancellation gives the passengers the right to choose another date.

[Acid-drop]

Why only dublin ? What is so special ?

[sean1982]

The above post from ostair just confirms that Ryanair doesn't respect EU-Rule 261/2004.

European legislation says that passengers shall be offered the choice between reimbursement or re-routing "under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at a later date at the passenger's convenience, subject to availability of seats".

The post from ostair makes clear that Ryanair doesn't respect the clause "at the passenger's convenience": it's a refund or a flight CRL-DUB on 30 April. Even if the original flight was booked/paid/confirmed for 30th April, the cancellation gives the passengers the right to choose another date.

What can be more convenient then an alternative flight from an Airport 50km away that gets you to the booked destination at the same time? name me anything that can be more convenient?



In any case, its better than completly ignoring your customers

I had a SN flight cancelled in the aftermath of the attacks. I tried 100 times to contact SN help desk: unsuccessful, went to the airport desk abroad: unable to help, sent an e-mail to SN: no answer...

[webstermc]

A friend of my flew to Lisbon last tueday (just before the strike) and returned yesterday. Both flights by SN and load factor was 2 times > 90% !

[webstermc]

I was just wondering, is there any news about the train station, reports last week stated that it could be open by now. But since last week, no updates anymore....

[Yuqu12]

I was just wondering, is there any news about the train station, reports last week stated that it could be open by now. But since last week, no updates anymore....

I think the train station itself is fixed and the trains drive by without stopping. So for example the train between Leuven and Mechelen doesn't stop there, but keeps just riding. The problem is that there is still no way how to get from the train station to the temporary check-in. I think that they didn't find a way yet to avoid that people go from the train station to the departure hall.

Solution: train to Zaventem-city, where buses of De Lijn bring you to the airport.

[Conti764]

I was just wondering, is there any news about the train station, reports last week stated that it could be open by now. But since last week, no updates anymore....

I think the train station itself is fixed and the trains drive by without stopping. So for example the train between Leuven and Mechelen doesn't stop there, but keeps just riding. The problem is that there is still no way how to get from the train station to the temporary check-in. I think that they didn't find a way yet to avoid that people go from the train station to the departure hall.

Solution: train to Zaventem-city, where buses of De Lijn bring you to the airport.

It's easy though... The old station they're reopening has it's main exit right at the busstation, the floor of the temp. c/i...