With over two million passengers expected by Brussels Airlines alone over summer 2025, and up to five million anticipated in total (that’s 90,000 passengers passing through each day), authorities at Brussels Airport and the Belgian interior ministry are planning ways to reduce crowding and waiting times at the essential national hub.
Passport check waiting times have been noted as a particular pinch point in the past, with images of long queues doing the rounds on social media. As a result of this known issue, a sixth police cubicle will be put in place shortly, and the plan is that all six will be staffed during peak times.
#Brussels_airport #Zaventem : June 22, 10:15, all security checks closed. No explanation by the airport. pic.twitter.com/J41ewacjES
— Dumont Jean-Michel (@jmd_congo) June 22, 2025
In addition, extra staff will be deployed this summer during the busiest periods, boosting capacity by 30% on “orange days” and by 40% on days identified as “red.” Unfortunately, however, it appears to be a question of robbing Peter to pay Paul in the short term, with the airport rejigging existing staff from one section to another, rather than employing more people.
Defending the move, Wald Thielemans, director-general of the administrative police, argued that the redeployed staff had been “spread out as much as possible”, resulting in an impact that “will not be too great” on the sections left behind.
What’s more, in time, recruitment and training should resolve any issues, according to interior minister Bernard Quintin, who said: “We’re working on a structural solution, because it is no secret that airport police, as well as other police services, are facing staff shortages,” said Quintin. That shortfall is 23% when it comes to airport police.
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (C) pictured at a visit to the border control, during the presentation of the summer plan of the aviation police at Brussels Airport 📷 © Belgaimage / Benoit Doppagne. pic.twitter.com/FhxWtkwWBF
— Belgaimage (@BelgaImage) June 16, 2025
Hailing the police at the airport as “a crucial link” in essential border control operations, Brussels Airport chief executive Arnaud Feist said both passengers and staff at the hub appreciate “a smooth process” which, he added, is not only “important for safety, but also for Belgium’s image.”
The announcements follow hours of queues in previous seasons, resulting in long delays and complaints from airport users, which officials are keen to address in order to keep Belgium’s Travel & Tourism industry on the “positive growth trajectory,” identified recently by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Forecast to contribute €38.9BN to the national economy this year, the sector is “fast becoming one of the country’s most powerful economic engines,” the council said, pointing to its 6.3% contribution to national GDP and the more than 385,500 jobs it represents in 2025.
