Brussels Airport’s operator has approved a dedicated low-cost terminal for the Belgian hub, which will be commissioned in April next year.
The scheme requires re-opening part of the old passenger terminal, converting the transit area into a departure lounge, and constructing a low-cost pier which will initially be able to handle six aircraft.
This pier, work on which will start in summer, will be lengthened to accommodate 15 aircraft if future demand for the terminal is strong enough. While the terminal will have a number of shops and restaurants, it will not contain facilities for business passengers.
Brussels’ operator has not identified any specific operator which might use the terminal.
Low-cost carriers account for 3% of flights at Brussels but the operator is intending to raise this share to a level comparable to that at other European airports – it says this figure is typically about 10%.
Brussels Airport chief Wilfried Van Assche says: “Low-cost carriers are increasingly opting for large international airports, on the condition that they can use facilities tailored to their specific needs.”
Only point-to-point flights, which do not need transfer considerations, will be handled at the terminal in order to reduce the need for automation and to reduce turnaround times to less than 30min.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: FlightGlobal.com
