Brussels attacks: Zaventem airport to reopen

Brussels, April 3:

Brussels airport plans to partially reopen on Sunday with new security controls, 12 days after it was attacked by suicide bombers.

Zaventem airport authorities said three Brussels Airlines’ flights would depart for European destinations on Sunday.

Zaventem has not handled passenger flights since March 22 attack on its departure hall claimed by the Islamic State militant group, BBC reported.

The attacks on the airport and a Metro station left 34 people killed, out of which 15 were foreigners, one an Indian techie.

In another development, Belgian authorities charged a third suspect — named only as Y A — with terrorist offences linked to Paris attacks.

The charges come in the wake of the arrest of Frenchman Reda Kriket in a Paris suburb on 24 March.

Brussels airport chief executive officer Arnaud Feist said that “from Sunday morning, Brussels Airport should be partially operational.”

He said he was expecting to receive official authorisation for the reopening later in the day.

The first flight is expected to take off in the early afternoon for the Portuguese city of Faro. The others will be bound for the Greek capital Athens and Turin in Italy.

Passengers will only be able to get to the airport by car or taxi — the terminal is still closed to trains and buses.

Late on Friday, Belgian officials reached a deal with police unions on enhanced security at the airport.

Feist said he hoped the airport would get back up to full capacity in time for the start of the summer holidays at the end of June. (IANS)