Brussels Airport, International airport in Belgium
Brussels Airport is a major international air transportation hub located in Zaventem, approximately 12 kilometers from the city center and the busiest airport in Belgium. The modern terminal complex integrates check-in, security, shops, and gates under one roof with natural lighting from large windows and facilities including restaurants, cafes, work stations, prayer rooms, and duty-free shopping areas.
The airport began as a German military airfield in the 1940s during the Second World War and was later transformed by Belgian authorities into a civilian hub. Since then it has expanded continuously with modernized terminals and runways, though traces of its original military use remain visible through the shared airspace with the Melsbroek military section.
The airport displays Belgian hospitality through shops and restaurants serving local specialties like waffles and fries that travelers often enjoy during their layover. The spaces reflect how the place welcomes visitors from around the world, creating a gateway where different cultures naturally intersect.
The airport is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, and car, with a train station directly below the main terminal offering frequent service to the city center in about 20 minutes. Arrive with extra time to navigate security lines and check-in, especially during peak hours, and take advantage of luggage storage if exploring the city without your bags.
The airport shares its runways with the Melsbroek military section, a rare blend of civilian and military operations that reflects its origins and ongoing national importance. This shared airspace arrangement is unusual among European airports and remains one of the location's most distinctive features.
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