Thousands leave Brussels airport without their suitcases, after baggage belt breaks

A total of 1,400 passengers had to leave Brussels Zaventem airport without their luggage on Thursday, due to a problem on one of the baggage belts, reports Belgian media.

“It was busy at the airport and one of the baggage belts that had to take the suitcases from the check-in to the baggage hall could not handle the large amount of suitcases”, said Nathalie Pierard, spokesperson for Brussels Airport.

“As a result, the check-in had to be done manually, with the result that some passengers had to leave without suitcases”, Pierard said.

Des milliers de voyageurs s’envolent sans leur bagage à l’aéroport de Zaventem https://t.co/ElUxII1UmW pic.twitter.com/wKdYZkfKKC

— BX1 – Actu (@BX1_Actu) June 27, 2019

The problem with the baggage belt has now been solved, according to Pierard, but many of the suitcases still remain at Zaventem.

“We will now do everything we can to get the suitcases to their destination quickly. For most travellers this will already be the case today, others may have to wait until tomorrow,” said Pierard.

Madeleine Fletcher
The Brussels Times