Travellers arriving from Schengen destinations were treated to an unexpected sight on 19 December when Brussels Airport unveiled a 20-metre baggage-hall corridor transformed to resemble a spacecraft interior. The immersive installation, developed with the Federal Public Service Chancellery, features LED ‘portholes’, astrophotography murals and a looping soundtrack of mission-control chatter.
The campaign aims to spotlight Belgium’s growing space industry after the country pledged €1.1 billion to ESA programmes last month—second-highest per capita in Europe. Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégeois cut the ribbon, telling reporters the display will “inspire the next generation and remind visitors that Belgium punches above its weight in orbit”.
![‘Spaceship’ Tunnel Debuts at Brussels Airport to Promote Belgium’s Space Sector]()
From a global-mobility perspective, the corridor underscores airports’ shifting role as marketing platforms. Brussels Airport estimates that 40 percent of its arriving passengers are business travellers; exposing them to Belgium’s space credentials could bolster investment and R&D partnerships. Companies hosting assignees in Belgium’s aerospace cluster (notably in Charleroi and Leuven) may also leverage the installation for talent-brand storytelling.
The ‘spaceship’ tunnel will remain for at least six months and is already generating social-media buzz, with #SpaceBelgium trending locally. Airport officials say no operational impact is expected—passenger flow was modelled to ensure the décor does not create bottlenecks.
The campaign aims to spotlight Belgium’s growing space industry after the country pledged €1.1 billion to ESA programmes last month—second-highest per capita in Europe. Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégeois cut the ribbon, telling reporters the display will “inspire the next generation and remind visitors that Belgium punches above its weight in orbit”.
From a global-mobility perspective, the corridor underscores airports’ shifting role as marketing platforms. Brussels Airport estimates that 40 percent of its arriving passengers are business travellers; exposing them to Belgium’s space credentials could bolster investment and R&D partnerships. Companies hosting assignees in Belgium’s aerospace cluster (notably in Charleroi and Leuven) may also leverage the installation for talent-brand storytelling.
The ‘spaceship’ tunnel will remain for at least six months and is already generating social-media buzz, with #SpaceBelgium trending locally. Airport officials say no operational impact is expected—passenger flow was modelled to ensure the décor does not create bottlenecks.
Source: The Brussels Times
