The autumn holidays are the first break after the summer holidays and are popular with those wanting to catch the last rays of sun in Europe, but also with the avid travellers who want to go farther afield. An expected 430,000 passengers will be passing through Brussels Airport during the 10-day break, from Friday 29 October to Sunday 7 November. That is almost 60% of pre-Covid numbers (728,000 passengers in 2019), but more than the fourfold of the number of passengers in 2020 (97,500 passengers).
The most popular destinations in the autumn break are sun destinations, including the destinations that have recently reopened to tourists, and city trips to the south. The most popular sun destinations are Spain (Malaga, Alicante, Valencia), the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Tenerife), Portugal (Lisbon and Faro) and Turkey (Antalya). In addition, Egypt and the Cape Verde Islands are once again open for tourists and are proving very attractive. Popular destinations for city trips are Rome, Nice and Barcelona.
Tips for a smooth and relaxed departure
During the holiday periods, the airport can be extremely busy. Passengers are advised to prepare thoroughly for their departure. Face masks are still mandatory in the terminal and during your flight, and we strongly recommend that you regularly wash or disinfect your hands.
Check in advance which documents are required for your destinations. The Travel Map on the Brussels Airport website provides a handy summary of travel conditions and required documents per country. Also make sure you arrive at the airport well in time, because check-in may take a little longer due to the additional documents that have to be inspected. You can check at what time best to arrive at the airport for your specific flight online via the slot advice.
Remember to fill in your electronic Passenger Locator Form before returning to Belgium. You can now only do this online; the paper form is no longer accepted. The Federal Police can check your QR code on your return to the airport.
