With the schools breaking up for half term, Friday is a particularly busy day at Brussels Airport in Zaventem (Flemish Brabant). No fewer than 70,500 passengers are expected at the airport during Friday, making it the busiest day at the airport this spring half term. Unlike last year both Dutch-medium and French-medium schools break for half term up on the same day this year. Pupils in Dutch-medium education have a week’s holiday, while those taught through the medium of French have two weeks.
Almost 1.1 million passengers will travel via Zaventem during the spring half term break. Many will be leaving for skiing holidays or for warmer climes for a bit of sun, sea and sand. Today (Friday 13 February) 37,500 passengers will depart from Brussels Airport and 33,000 will arrive there.
Sunday 22 February is also set to be a busy day at Zaventem with 70,000 passengers expected. This coincides with the end of the school holidays in Dutch-medium schools.
Tradionally the favourite destinations for a holiday during the spring half term vacation are the Cannary Islands, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Cabo Verde, Gambia, the UEA and Thailand, all of which are (considerably) warmer and sunnier than Belgium at this time of year. Winter sport destinations are also popular.
Arrive in plenty of time
Brussels Airport advises passengers to arrive in plenty of time. This means at least 2 hours before take-off for a flight within the Schengen Zone and 3 hours before take-off for a flight outside the Schengen Zone.
Passengers are also advised to travel to the airport on public transport if the can or to reserve a parking space in advance.