As the passengers numbers continue to grow, the Belgian Brussels Airport is planning to invest € 500 million in its infrastructure over the coming years. The works will concern the arrival and departure halls, a new intermodal transport hub, more green space and a 4-star hotel.
With 24 million passengers processed in 2024, Brussels Airport has not yet reached its full capacity of 28 to 30 million yearly passengers. However, this might soon change, as 32 million travellers are expected in 2032. In order to prepare for the future, a € 500 million plan has been designed, which should start in 2026 and will run until at least 2032.
Can you picture yourself taking off from here in a few years? ✈️ #brusselsairport is investing in the future! This includes a new intermodal hub, terminal extension, green boulevard & park, new hotel & drop-off zone. All of this to improve capacity & comfort for our passengers,… pic.twitter.com/S0n1Y8a30W
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) April 18, 2025
“As hub airport in the heart of Europe, Brussels Airport wants to further invest in the capacity and quality of its infrastructure for both passengers and employees. We are therefore proud to present our plans that will greatly enhance the experience of our passengers,” says Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport.
One plan, multiple aspects
The plan includes a renovation of the departure and arrival halls, which should offer more space and light by allowing passengers to enjoy a better view on the tarmac. The interconnectivity between and the capacity of the various means of transport including train, bus, and a future tram will be improved. Instead of a single central mobility axis, connections between different kinds of transportation will be more spread out. Moreover, a green boulevard will be created which will offer space for a park and airport tram, in addition to car and bicycle traffic.
A new tram line will link Brussels to its airport by 2031 🚋
— Travel Tomorrow (@TravelTomorrowX) March 26, 2025
📍 Brussels, Belgium
📸 @BuscardiniPR @BrusselsAirport #tram #tramline #transport #mobility #BrusselsAirport #Zaventem #airport #Brussels #Belgium pic.twitter.com/g14cABgH34
“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,” said Belgian Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke.
A newdrop-off zone will also be built at Brussels Airport at the departure hall level behind the Sheraton hotel. Passengers should thus enjoy a smoother connection to the terminal, while the drop-off traffic will be separated from other traffic flows.
The plans also include the construction of a new 4-star hotel with 300 rooms, due to popular demand. Combined with the existing Sheraton hotel, their will be more ample room for travellers to stay close to the airport while waiting for their next flight.
The entire project looks to combine sustainability, quality, and experience. Natural light, sustainable materials and future-proof technologies including water infiltration, an underground geothermal storage (BTES field), heat pumps, and solar panels for electricity are all part of the € 500 million plan.
