Nearly 12 million passengers in six months: what is driving Brussels Airport's surge?
Brussels Airport handled close to 12 million travellers in the first half of 2026, with the operator crediting new routes for the rise. Here is what the growth means on the ground — and how to move through a busier Zaventem without the stress.
In 30 seconds
- Brussels Airport handled close to 12 million passengers in the first six months of 2026, according to figures reported on 15 July 2026.
- The airport operator attributed the rise mainly to new destinations added to the route network, as reported by La Libre and BX1.
- Brussels Airport (BRU) is located in Zaventem, Vlaams-Brabant, Flanders — not in the Brussels-Capital Region, and is separate from Brussels South Charleroi (CRL).
- The terminal is directly served by NMBS/SNCB trains via Brussels Airport-Zaventem station, plus De Lijn and MIVB/STIB buses.
Brussels Airport (IATA code BRU) is Belgium's largest airport, located in Zaventem in the Flemish province of Vlaams-Brabant, north-east of the capital. It is operated by Brussels Airport Company and serves as the home base of Brussels Airlines, with major operations by carriers including TUI fly and Ryanair. It is distinct from Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) in Wallonia, which handles most low-cost traffic. The airport is directly connected to the national rail network via Brussels Airport-Zaventem station beneath the terminal (NMBS/SNCB), and by De Lijn and MIVB/STIB bus services.
Background
Air traffic at Zaventem collapsed during the 2020 pandemic and recovered only gradually over subsequent years as airlines rebuilt capacity and passenger confidence returned. The 2026 half-year figure of close to 12 million passengers signals that recovery has matured into genuine expansion. Throughout, the airport's growth has been entangled with a decades-old, court-contested dispute over aircraft noise and the distribution of flight paths across Flanders and the Brussels-Capital Region.
What to do
Arrive early during summer and holiday peaks (around two hours before European flights, longer for intercontinental), reach the airport by NMBS/SNCB train to Brussels Airport-Zaventem station or by De Lijn and MIVB/STIB buses, check your terminal and gate on brusselsairport.be, verify the current Diabolo train supplement on belgiantrain.be, and never confuse Brussels Airport (BRU, Zaventem) with Brussels South Charleroi (CRL, Wallonia).
Impact
Regional — The airport sits in Zaventem (Vlaams-Brabant, Flanders) but draws its catchment from Brussels and across the country; rising traffic affects both the Flemish periphery and Brussels-region neighbourhoods under the flight paths, and feeds the unresolved noise and route-allocation dispute between the two regions.
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- Published:
- 15 Jul 2026, 02:00
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- 15 Jul 2026
- Published:
- 15 Jul 2026, 02:00
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 15 Jul 2026
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 15 Jul 2026
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 15 Jul 2026
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This story was assembled from verified evidence, with its sources and reasoning recorded as it was written.