Warnings of major disruptions at Brussels Airport due to construction works on Sunday were exaggerated, the airport has confirmed. Passengers should not expect their journey to be significantly impacted.
Federal airport mediator Philippe Touwaide said on Friday that works were scheduled to take place at Belgium's largest airport on Sunday 26 January. He warned that just one runway would be available between 10:00 and 18:00 and that this would result in major disruption.
However, a Brussels Airport spokesperson, Jeffrey Franssens, later confirmed that works are indeed scheduled to go ahead.
"But the major delays that were referred to are not expected," he told The Brussels Times. "We anticipate minimal impact on passengers due to these works. Passengers can always check the status of their flight via our online tool."
Complex details
The miscommunication can in part be explained by the complexity of the work schedule.
On Saturday 25 January, works will be carried out on runway 07R/25L between 14:00 and 16:00. Runways 01/19 and 07L/25R will be available at this point. From 23:00 on Saturday until 06:00 on Sunday morning, runway 07L/25R will be closed for construction works, while runways 07R/25L and 01/19 will remain available.
Finally, on Sunday, runway 07L/25R will again be closed for maintenance works from 10:00 until 18:00. "In this period, runway 01/19 will also be impacted for one hour. Runway 19 will be closed for one hour for arrivals but will remain open for departures," said Franssens. "Runway 01 will be closed for one hour for arrivals and departures."
During this time, only runway 07R/25L will be open.
Between 22:00 on Sunday and 06:00 on Monday morning, runway 07L/25R will be closed for maintenance work, but runways 01/19 and 07R/25L will be available.
This article was updated at 15:00 on Friday 24 January to add a reaction from Brussels Airport.
