Brussels Airport resumes partial operations

Brussels Airport partially reopened this Sunday with three passenger flights scheduled, 12 days after the bomb attacks.

The three flights, operated by Brussels Airlines, were to Faro of Portugal, Athens of Greece, and Turin of Italy respectively.

It has been reported that flights of other air companies will gradually resume in the following days.

Every passenger must have their valid identification documents and boarding cards checked at the entrance of a makeshift departure hall, inside which security inspection is carried out. Non-travelers were not allowed to enter the departure hall.

Since the check for every passenger takes about three to five minutes, passengers have been told to arrive at the airport at least three hours ahead of scheduled take off.

Outside the departure hall were dozens of soldiers, policemen, and staff.

Since the buses and metros have not reopened yet, all the passengers need to drive to the airport or arrive by taxi. The cars must receive security checks when entering the airport’s parking lot, and are granted a short-term parking permit at a certain location.

“We are going for a holiday in Portugal, Faro. The security is OK, very safe,” said a passenger.

“There are a lot of military and we have a lot of policemen so we are in security, yes. There are a lot of checks to come here so we are safe. We are confident with the policemen and the military, yes,” said another passenger.

Authorities at the airport said they are expected to resume full operation in late June or early July.