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Brussels Airport set to partially reopen tomorrow

Brussels Airport is to reopen tomorrow for the first time since suicide bombers struck on March 2...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.00 2 Apr 2016


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Brussels Airport set to partia...

Brussels Airport set to partially reopen tomorrow

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.00 2 Apr 2016


Share this article


Brussels Airport is to reopen tomorrow for the first time since suicide bombers struck on March 22nd.

There will be flights to Faro, Turin and Athens, but passengers will be dropped off at car parks before being taken to check in.

Speaking at a news conference, CEO of Brussels Airport Company Arnaud Feist said passengers will also have to go through metal detectors in addition to other security measures.

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He said special arrangements have been made to check in luggage and access to the airport will only be by car or taxi.

Arriving passengers will be able to collect their luggage as normal.

The airport will fully reopen by the end of June or early July, he added.

"I am extremely grateful to all airport staff, federal police and the federal government for their efforts and commitment," he said.

"These flights are the first hopeful sign from an airport that is standing up straight after a cowardly attack".

"That we are able to make this start only 12 days after the devastating attacks is a sign of our collective strength at Brussels Airport".

"On Sunday April 3rd, for the first time since the bomb attacks on Brussels Airport, three symbolic passenger flights will depart".

"In the days following, the number of flights will be gradually increased and passenger flights will also land at Brussels Airport".

Man arrested

The announcement comes 12 days after two suspected Islamist militants carried out suicide attacks in the airport's main departure hall.

The bombs, and a separate one on a metro train in the city, killed 35 people, including the bombers.

At least 270 people were wounded in the attacks.

Meanwhile, Belgian police arrested a man in the Brussels neighbourhood of Molenbeek early on Saturday where a demonstration was planned by a France-based far-right group.

Molenbeek has a large Muslim community and has served as the departure point for many of those who attacked Paris in November and Brussels in March.

Police have also moved into the Bourse neighbourhood in central Brussels where a counter-demonstration was planned.

Some people there have been detained.


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