Brussels Airport will be renovating all 33 passenger boarding bridges in Pier A by 2031, an undertaking that will cost approximately €25 million. Works have started and will be carried out gradually to minimise disruptions.
With passenger numbers continuing to grow, Belgium’s Brussels Airport has been planning an ambitious infrastructure revamp. By 2032, the company will invest some €500 million in building works that include renovations in the arrival and departure halls, a new intermodal transport hub, more green space, and a 4-star hotel.
“This investment shows that the airport thinks ahead without losing sight of sustainability. I am particularly delighted that Brussels Airport is committed to an intermodal mobility hub where different modes of transport meet. This is essential because mobility today is no longer the sum of separate modes of transport. We need to evolve into smart mobility hubs that seamlessly link comfort, connectivity and climate ambition. These are great and ambitious plans that don’t think in boundaries, but rather in connections,” Belgian Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke said at the time.
The works that started on the passenger boarding bridges in Pier A on 21 September 2026 are part of that larger overhaul. The terminal is used exclusively for Schengen flights and has 33 bridges allowing passengers to board the aircraft directly from the gate. The oldest bridges date back to 2002, when the pier officially entered service.
After nearly 25 years of intensive daily use, several technical and structural components are in need of renewal. During the renovation works, the passenger boarding bridges will be fitted with a new control system, and components will be overhauled or replaced if necessary.
According to Brussels Airport, each boarding bridge was individually assessed to determine which components need refurbishment or replacement. Additional sensors will be installed, and the bridges will be equipped with a new control system, enabling ground handling teams to work more efficiently. Floors, windows, and other components will also be renewed where necessary.
The movable sections of the bridges will be detached from the pier before being transported to the manufacturer using specialised vehicles. After several months of refurbishment, depending on the scope of the work required, each bridge will be returned to Brussels Airport and reinstalled.
The works will allow the passenger boarding bridges to continue operating smoothly and efficiently for at least another fifteen years of operation while continuing to meet all applicable safety and operational standards.
To minimise disruption for passengers and airport activities, no more than three bridges will be renovated at the same time. This should ensure sufficient capacity remains available for flights and passengers. During the summer season, when passenger volumes are higher, a maximum of two bridges will be taken out of service simultaneously.
The project will be carried out in phases over the next five years, allowing the airport to minimise the impact on passengers and airport operations. The entire project represents an investment of approximately €25 million and should be completed in 2031.
