Brussels Airport prepares for holiday exodus

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The second half of the week will see the start of the annual summer exodus. Although last year's record figures will not be broken, the airport will be very busy.
Brussels Airport has listed a few tips and tricks for the passenger.

Since a few years, the start of the summer exodus is no longer concentrated in the first weekend of the summer holidays, but in the week prior to this weekend. Based on the seat reservations known at this moment, Brussels Airport expects about 30,000 departing passengers a day.

These figures are somewhat lower than those registered during the 2008 summer exodus, although that year tens of thousands of passengers booked a trip to the sun at the last moment to escape from the rainy weather in Belgium. This year too, the sun holiday destinations that are farther away, including Turkey and North Africa are doing extremely well.

In anticipation of the expected rush, Brussels Airport issues the following tips and recommendations.

Leave for the airport well in time
Passengers are advised to arrive at the check-in desk two hours in advance of their departure time for short-haul flights and three hours for long-haul flights. From 4 am until past midday the departure hall will be very busy. This may also be the case in the late afternoon. During peak hours the extra time is necessary to find a parking space, for queuing at the ticketing and check-in desks, for border control and security checks and for embarking.

Liquids and gels
Since November 2006 Europe restricts the quantity of liquids and gels carried in the hand baggage. Although most frequent flyers are familiar with these restrictions, our security agents still confiscate hundreds of litres of forbidden liquids from holidaymakers. Liquids, gels, foams or pastes and other items of a similar consistency are allowed in the hold baggage (which you check in) but are strictly limited in the hand baggage. Any liquids or gels you wish to carry into the cabin should be held in containers of maximum 100ml and have to be presented to the screening staff in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag of 20x20 cm, freezer bag type.
Brussels Airport strongly advises passengers not to carry any liquid or gel-like items in their hand baggage if the use thereof in the aircraft cabin is not absolutely necessary.

This restriction does not apply to tax-free goods: these may also be carried on board in larger volumes because they were thoroughly screened before they arrived in the airport shops. The tax-free goods will be put into a sealed plastic bag. The seal may not be broken until you reach your final destination. Water and other non-alcoholic drinks that were purchased beyond the security screening point may also be carried on board.
More details are available on http://www.brusselairport.be.

Every day about 500 kilograms of liquids and gels are confiscated at the passenger screening points. Containers that have already been opened are destroyed; unopened containers are donated to good causes. Spirits and alcoholic drinks are sold to an auctioneer's and the proceeds are donated to a number of orphanages.

Quicker check-in
No more queuing at check-in with thousands of other departing passengers. Technology is helping us to check in more quickly. With some airlines over half of the passengers use the electronic self check-in systems.
Several airlines offer internet check-in. On the website where you booked your ticket, you can print a boarding pass on your own printer, at home or at work. If you only carry hand baggage, you can immediately proceed to border control. The same is true if you use one of the self check-in machines in the departures hall. Many travellers seem to believe that these have been put there for the exclusive use of the "business travellers", but that is not the case. Moreover these machines are very easy to use and there's always someone from the airline around whom you can ask for help.
If you also have hold baggage you can deliver your bags at the check-in desk. Most carriers have a separate desk for passengers who have checked in electronically.

Identity papers for children
Like every other passenger, children under 12 years have to carry a valid identity certificate with photograph. That may be an identity card or passport. Children's identity cards only have limited validity. Always check the expiry date before you leave.

Passports
Do not forget to check the validity of your passport or visa. For some countries you need a passport that is still valid for several months. Make the necessary inquiries.
Please keep in mind that the procedure to apply for an identity certificate, passport or visa usually takes several days.
If you wish to book a last-minute trip, please check first whether you have the necessary identity papers or whether there's still enough time to obtain for them. If you're leaving for an exotic destination, please bear in mind that you may need several days or weeks to get the necessary vaccinations.

Baggage tip
Passengers are advised to provide each piece of baggage (including hand baggage, camera bag, beauty case,?) with a label carrying their name and contact details. Also put a visiting-card inside each piece of baggage. If you're baggage gets lost, this may be the only thing the services concerned have to go by to return the bags to you.

Parking facilities
The airport has a sufficient number of parking spaces to cope with the rush of departing holidaymakers in July and August. Details on the various formulas and promotions are available on the airport website: http://www.brusselsairport.be


Brussels Airport Company, 23/06/2009