Brussels Airport Company has expanded its airport-related real estate portfolio by acquiring the building and land of the Novotel Brussels Airport, reinforcing its long-term strategy of investing in infrastructure and services that support growing passenger numbers.
The property was acquired from Covivio Hotels. Hotel operations will remain unchanged, with the property continuing to be operated by Essendi under the Novotel brand, managed by Accor.
Located less than two kilometres from Brussels Airport, the hotel occupies a strategic position close to both the airport and Zaventem railway station. It offers 209 soundproofed rooms, meeting facilities, a restaurant, fitness centre, parking and “Park, Sleep & Fly” packages, while a complimentary shuttle connects guests with the airport in around five minutes.
Its accessibility is expected to improve further with the future airport tram, which will place the hotel just two stops from the terminal, reducing the journey to around five minutes. The tram is part of wider efforts to improve sustainable access to Belgium’s busiest airport.
The acquisition reflects Brussels Airport Company’s strategy of diversifying its activities through investments directly linked to airport operations. The airport operator already owns the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel, located opposite the terminal, and has announced plans to develop a new hotel adjacent to the terminal by 2032.
The latest investment comes as Brussels Airport continues to experience sustained passenger growth. The airport expects around 5.2 million travellers to pass through its terminals during July and August, a 4% increase compared with the same period last year. To cope with rising demand, it has expanded self-service baggage facilities, is deploying additional staff during peak travel periods and is preparing to introduce new security screening technology in the coming years.
Accessibility to the airport is also set to improve beyond road transport. From December 2027, new overnight rail services operated by NMBS/SNCB will connect Bruges, Ghent and Brussels with Brussels Airport before dawn, making early morning departures easier for passengers and reducing reliance on cars, taxis and overnight accommodation.
Together with planned investments in rail, tram and airport infrastructure, the acquisition of the Novotel property highlights Brussels Airport Company’s broader ambition to develop the airport precinct into an increasingly integrated transport, business and hospitality hub.
