Brussels Airport (BRU) has sounded the alarm for what it expects to be one of its busiest late-October weekends since before the pandemic, warning passengers on 23 October to budget extra time for parking, bag-drop and security.
The Zaventem hub projects outbound volumes 12 % above last year thanks to a combination of autumn school breaks in several EU countries, an uptick in long-haul business traffic to North America and the first post-pandemic boost from Chinese tour groups following Beijing’s visa-waiver pilot. The airport’s Time Advisor tool currently recommends arriving three hours early for intercontinental flights and two hours for Schengen departures – 30–45 minutes more than the summer baseline.
Capacity pinch-points include car parks (P1, P3) and the security filter in Connector, where a shortage of trained screeners has forced BRU to run only eight of twelve lanes during overnight shifts. Business-class fast-track lanes remain operational but airlines report queues of up to 25 minutes at peak. Travellers without pre-booked parking are advised to use train or Airport Line bus services; NMBS/SNCB will run four extra late-night trains to Antwerp and Ghent on 25 and 27 October.
The airport also reminded non-Schengen travellers that automated passport e-gates are now available to holders of EU, UK, US and Canadian passports, shaving several minutes off exit control. Passengers bound for Morocco, Egypt and Turkey must still clear manual counters due to biometric-data requirements.
Why it matters: For mobility teams moving staff to or through Belgium, the guidance signals longer dwell-times and possible overtime costs for drivers and meet-and-greet providers. Companies should adjust car-service pickups and advise VIPs to pre-clear VAT refunds or lounge visits well in advance.
The Zaventem hub projects outbound volumes 12 % above last year thanks to a combination of autumn school breaks in several EU countries, an uptick in long-haul business traffic to North America and the first post-pandemic boost from Chinese tour groups following Beijing’s visa-waiver pilot. The airport’s Time Advisor tool currently recommends arriving three hours early for intercontinental flights and two hours for Schengen departures – 30–45 minutes more than the summer baseline.
Capacity pinch-points include car parks (P1, P3) and the security filter in Connector, where a shortage of trained screeners has forced BRU to run only eight of twelve lanes during overnight shifts. Business-class fast-track lanes remain operational but airlines report queues of up to 25 minutes at peak. Travellers without pre-booked parking are advised to use train or Airport Line bus services; NMBS/SNCB will run four extra late-night trains to Antwerp and Ghent on 25 and 27 October.
The airport also reminded non-Schengen travellers that automated passport e-gates are now available to holders of EU, UK, US and Canadian passports, shaving several minutes off exit control. Passengers bound for Morocco, Egypt and Turkey must still clear manual counters due to biometric-data requirements.
Why it matters: For mobility teams moving staff to or through Belgium, the guidance signals longer dwell-times and possible overtime costs for drivers and meet-and-greet providers. Companies should adjust car-service pickups and advise VIPs to pre-clear VAT refunds or lounge visits well in advance.
