Brussels Airport Tour (register before 02/10)

** The Brussels Airport Management was so kind to extend the deadline for this exclusive 4-hour guided tour until Friday 2 October at noon **

You have seen dozens of airports, flown around the world several times, and probably are an avid collector of frequent flyer miles. Traveling is part of your DNA and taking a flight is just as normal as riding a metro. Brussels Airport is like your second living room, you know it as the back of your hand. Or at least, that is what you think!

Today we have the opportunity to experience a unique comprehensive tour at Belgium’s busiest airport. Under the guidance of an English-speaking professional guide, who has many years of experience in the aviation and airport industry, we will explore “Zaventem” from the inside ánd outside. This is your chance to see the airport with a different set of eyes (and ears!), and probably it will be the only time you do not have to hang on to your boarding card!

It goes without saying that most things will look very familiar to you, even if you don’t know Brussels Airport that well. But what makes this visit so special is that our expert guide will tell us all about airport operations, such as safety and security, airport management, aviation economics, strategy, sustainability, and several more. Since our visit inside the terminal takes not less than 3 hours, we can actually dive into some of the more advanced topics! Put differently, our objective is to get a profound understanding of what it takes to run this airport while actually being in between passengers, airline and airport staff and airplanes. As cherry on top we also make a 1-hour tour by bus over the airport grounds, which takes us really to places you would normally not get to.

Detailed program:

We meet at 13h00 for coffee or a simple lunch in a coffeeshop that is located in the public area of the passenger terminal. If you want, you can also skip lunch and join us right before the start of the actual tour through the terminal (at about 13h45).

We start the actual tour at 14h00 in the main passenger terminal. Of course you feel like checking in for a flight to some exotic destination, but learning more about the building’s construction, its layout and capacity may be a great alternative. Indeed, there is a lot to say about this public area that you probably didn’t know. This is what we mean with looking at the airport with different eyes.

(click here for downloading a full-size pdf map. Source: www.BrusselsAirport.be)

After the main terminal, we pass the border control to proceed to Pier B:

• We visit the Gallery of Light with its tax-free shops, bars, restaurants and places of worship.
• From the Sky view Lounge in this area we have a wonderful view of the aprons. We can watch the docking of aircraft, the loading and unloading of luggage, in-flight meals and beverages, the refuelling operations as well as the putting into position of the boarding bridges. All these “airside operations” are explained to us by our guide.
• From the large windows of the Sapphire we can see the new pier A that opened in 2002 and is reserved to passengers who travel within the Schengen area. The guide explains the future development plans of the airport.

After Pier B we continue to Pier A:

• We go through the tunnel that connects the main building to the Topaz, the building at the north westerly end of pier A. Pier A opened in 2002 and is reserved to passengers travelling within the Schengen area (about 60% of all passengers at Brussels airport).
• We visit the Topaz, the recently refurbished commercial centre of pier A where the classic duty and tax-free offer is extended with a select range of international chain stores and Belgian brands that are known well outside our borders.
• From the pier we have a wonderful view of the aprons. wed can watch the docking of aircraft, the loading and unloading of luggage, in-flight meals and beverages, the refuelling operations as well as the putting into position of the boarding bridges.
• At a distance of a mere 500 meters you see runway 25 R (which is mainly used for takeoffs). The ideal opportunity to learn more about how an aircraft flies, how the pilot is guided, which destinations are served from our airport, which airlines operate from Brussels and which aircraft types can be seen here.

During this tour we will pause at least once for a washroom visit and a drink & snack (not included in ticket).

At the end of our visit to the terminal area we board a bus for a 1-hour guided tour around the airports grounds. It will take us past “General Aviation” to the cargo city of Brucargo, the airport fire service, the military airport of Melsbroek, the new control tower (no access) and the computer-controlled air traffic control centre CANAC. Our guide will provide us with an explanation on all installations and services we pass along the way.

Registration: For security reasons the reservation process for this event differs from other events:

• You should register by Monday 28 September 2015 at noon at the latest
• We need your first name and last name as in your passport or ID card.
• Additionally we need your date of birth, place of birth (city + country), your nationality and your Passport or your National ID card number that you will take for this visit (valid for travel!).
• There is a maximum of 25 people for this tour. Therefore register as early as possible.
• There will be a waiting list. Wait listers have to pay upfront and will be refunded in case you cannot join us.

Logistics: We will propose a time to travel together by the airport bus from Schuman (nr 21, €8 return), but you are welcome to go by train (€17 return) or by De Lijn (cheaper).