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Brussels Airport welcomes 24-millionth passenger and breaks record
Brussels Airport today hit the 24 million passenger mark since 1 January 2017. Never before have so many people flown to and from Brussels Airport within a single year. The 24-millionth passenger received a warm welcome this morning from Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist.
Brussels Airport is in a festive mood: just before Christmas the airport has welcomed its 24-millionth passenger in 2017, an all-time record for the airport. . With 24 million passengers before the year's end, Brussels Airport is doing even better than in the previous record year 2015 when almost 23.5 million passengers travelled through Brussels Airport.
To celebrate the new record, Brussels Airport Company's CEO Arnaud Feist treated today's passengers to delicious chocolates. This record is also the perfect occasion to thank the 20,000 airport staff whose daily commitment is paramount in achieving this record and ranking Brussels Airport among Europe's top airports.
Moreover, Brussels Airport made every effort to create a suitably festive atmosphere throughout the airport. Other than the traditional Christmas trees, lights and other Christmas decorations, the gigantic bauble in the outdoor area in front of the departure hall is a real eye-catcher. This bauble, with a diameter of 6 metres, is actually a big globe which refers to the many destinations passengers can travel to from Brussels Airport. Before entering the departure hall, passengers can stop for a typical Belgian beers at the Christmas Chalet on the temporary Winter Terrace. In the baggage reclaim hall, arriving passengers can make their wait for their luggage more pleasant by playing their favourite Christmas carols through the loudspeakers of a jukebox. Passengers can also listen to Christmas piano concerts in the Connector building, which are sometimes accompanied by a choir.
Over the Christmas period at Brussels Airport, special attention will be paid to families travelling for the holidays. In order to make their departure during the Christmas holidays as smooth as possible, dedicated Family lanes will be opened at security for families with children. The airport robot BRUce Pepper is also ready to help out over the Christmas period by guiding and assisting passengers. The little robot is in full Christmas mode and after a selfie, he will wish you Happy Holidays.
About Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is one of the largest airports in Europe, handling 21.8 million passengers and 495,000 tonnes of freight annually. Brussels Airport links the European capital with 238 destinations worldwide that are served by 78 different airlines. (figures 2016).
Brussels Airport caters for the specific needs of the business travellers, and also has the largest low-fare offer in Belgium.
Brussels Airport is the second most important centre of economic growth in Belgium providing direct and indirect employment for 60,000 people.
Brussels Airport is operated by Brussels Airport Company. The shareholders are the Belgian State (25 percent) and a consortium of private investors (75 percent).
