Brussels Airport: 10th anniversary of Pier A

[sn26567]

16 May: 10th anniversary Pier A - Firmly connected

Although Pier A seems to be standing somewhat isolated in the middle of the airport, it is firmly connected to the passenger terminal. A tunnel bridges the 200-meter distance between the terminal and the pier: moving walkways allow for rapid transit.

Still, this tunnel is about to become redundant. In two years’ time, it will be replaced by a new building that will link pier A to the terminal aboveground. As from 2014, this new building, which is currently referred to by its project name ‘Connector’, will provide a central screening platform for all passengers and their hand luggage and a large variety of shops, restaurants and cosy corners.

What most people ignore, however, is that next to the passenger tunnel to pier A, a second service tunnel was constructed. This way, hundreds of thousands of tax-free items, cartloads of bread rolls and tonnes of chocolates have their own dedicated access. A third tunnel is used by the conveyor system that transports baggage at dazzling speeds between the baggage sorting system underneath pier A to that underneath the passenger terminal.

Brussels Airport, May 14, 2012

Pier A was initially conceived as a hub with seamless connections and transfers for Sabena. The airline's demise six months before the completion of the works did not stop the project. Three years before the inauguration the Chairman of Brussels Airport Pierre Klees said it would be enter into service on 16 May 2002. And it did ! (unlike Berlin Brandenburg...)

[Homo Aeroportus]

Thank you André for bringing back these memories.
(Damn, 10 years !).

Actually May 16th is the date of the inauguration. Pier A was put in service on May 15th.
And yes, Pierre Klees, aka Papa Kilo, was rather keen on having that date respected.

The first commercial flight docking on Pier A (think is was on stand 149 or around) was a Sobelair, inbound from AGP and arriving past midnight on that hectic Tuesday 14 night.
The Red eyes disembarked and none, read zero, of these pax noticed were they were. Except for that old lady at the end of the pack who stopped and asked where she was because she at least at noticed the new and unfamiliar surroundings.
However tired she might have been when she was answered (in local lingo) "You are in Tokyo", it didn't take her more than a couple of seconds to react with a sound "But that can't be, you speak Flemish!".


As for the second tunnel, it took a bit longer to be finished and delayed by several month the entry in service of gate 43.

Pier A project remains a big achievement.
Hats off to all those with BIAC, IAC TV, sub-contractors and suppliers for having achieved this on time thanks to a tight control on general planning (Hi Peter ).

Cheers.

H.A.

[RoMax]

Let's hope the building/opening of the Connector and A Pier West goes as smooth as Pier A itself.

Btw, anyone an idea what they will or would do with the current tunnel used for pax "transport" between the terminal and Pier A, once the connector is operational? Using it as another "service tunnel", leave it empty, ... ?

[cargoliner]

Meanwhile, two new gates are going to be installed at the end of the pier. A171 and A174.Lining is already been done.Underground hydrant refuelsystem is still in discussion.
Something to do with New York-flights,i suppose.

[RoMax]

Apperently the A Pier contains two awardwinning shops/bars:
Beaudevin won an international award as "best airport wine bar in the world" and Epicure (cigar and spirits specialist) won the award of most innovative shop concept.

http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/blog_b ... 012/24833/