Brussels airport cautiously reopens for a handful of flights

Brussels Airport reopened on Sunday (April 3), twelve days after suicide bombers
hit its departure hall and killed sixteen people.

There are far fewer flights, just three on Sunday, and security is a lot tighter.

The airport wants to return to maximum capacity before the end of June.

On Monday, the airport will serve a wider range of destinations, with planes
scheduled to New York, Gambia and Senegal.

Police are systematically checking every passenger entering the airport. Bags are
now being screened before check in.

“I would say that there is a feeling of confidence when we see the security being
deployed,” said one passenger. “The attacks are of course on everyone’s minds, it’s
strange to have to go through the basements, but I feel confident.”

“Nothing will happen now because we are well protected, but who knows what the
situation will be two months or in four when there will be less security,” said
another traveler. “Nobody can tell if they’ll be back. The future is uncertain and
that’s sad.”

Brussels Airport has warned passengers to arrive three hours before their flights
because of increased security, and to come by car. The normal train and bus
services are not running.