The popularity of Brussels airport is increasing amongst Dutch travelers, with almost one million expected to visit this year, compared to 850,000 last year. The spokesperson for Brussels airport, Nathalie Pierard, explains that the airport expects to receive a significant number of travelers from the South of the Netherlands. The influx of Dutch visitors to Brussels can be attributed to limitations and setbacks experienced by Amsterdam’s main airport, Schiphol. The Dutch government has tripled the aviation tax and imposed a limit of 440,000 landings and take-offs per year on Schiphol-Amsterdam airport. As a result of these issues, Transavia and Turkish holiday giant Corendon have shifted their focus to Brussels airport to increase their capacity. Brussels airport has also established a specific marketing campaign to attract Dutch visitors. However, increased traffic to Brussels airport can lead to congestion in the existing parking lots. Despite the airport’s anticipation of these potential issues, Nathalie Pierard remains committed to satisfying their visitors’ needs.
Brussels airport is becoming more and more popular with the Dutch. Last year nearly 850,000 travelers flew from the tarmac at Zaventem. This year, nearly a million of them are expected at Brussels-National airport, according to the airport’s own estimates. “We especially expect to receive travelers from the South of the Netherlands “explains Nathalie Pierard, spokesperson for Brussels Airport.
This influx of our northern neighbors is mainly explained by the setbacks experienced by the country’s main airport, Schiphol. Amsterdam airport was still the third largest in Europe before the Covid pandemic with 71 million passengers welcomed in 2019. But this place on the podium is threatened: the coalition in place in the Netherlands has thus decided to triple the aviation tax since the beginning of this year. The Dutch authorities have mainly imposed a limitation of flights at Schiphol-Amsterdam airport, with a traffic cap of 440,000 landings and take-offs per year from this year. The main objective is to reduce noise pollution for local residents.
Why is Belgium likely to see Dutch people flocking to its airports?
A reduction in the number of passengers imposed on Schiphol
These restrictions began as early as this first week of April, with a 5% decrease in the number of all-day travelers departing from Schiphol. The airport manager explains that this measure is taken to reduce the risk of “unacceptable delays for travelers” check-in and security and identity checks. In the Netherlands, we do not want to relive another chaotic summer, with gigantic queues and enormous dissatisfaction among travelers, caused by a saturation of infrastructure and a lack of staff.
Brussels Airlines ticket prices are set to increase further
The companies know it: in Brussels, there is still room. The Turkish holiday giant Corendon has chosen to “swap” Schiphol for Zaventem next season, doubling its capacity at Brussels airport (260,000 seats), while that of Amsterdam will drop sharply. “In Brussels we can offer people a safe holiday”, Corendon boss Atilay Uslu recently announced. This same saturation problem in the Netherlands also pushed Transavia, the subsidiary low cost from KLM, settling in Zaventem this summer.
Congestion in parking lots?
With the Dutch spring holidays starting the first week of May, Brussels Airport is expecting a first influx from our northern neighbours. “We will never rejoice in the misfortunes of others and we also do not wish to transfer the problems of Schiphol to Zaventeminsists Nathalie Pierard. But we are ready to welcome these new travelers.” Proof that these tourists are more than welcome, Brussels Airport has set up a specific marketing campaign to attract the Dutch. The latter arriving mainly by car, this situation can create bottlenecks in the car parks near the Zaventem Terminal, even if Interparking announced this summer an extension of 2,000 parking spaces next to the airport.
In conclusion, Brussels Airport is reaping the benefits of the setbacks experienced by Schiphol airport, with more and more Dutch travelers choosing to fly from Zaventem. The reduction in the number of passengers imposed on Schiphol, coupled with the tripling of aviation taxes, has forced companies like Corendon and Transavia to turn towards Brussels as a viable alternative. As Dutch travelers continue to flock to Brussels Airport, the authorities are taking steps to ensure that infrastructure is expanded and services are improved to accommodate them. With a specific marketing campaign in place to attract the Dutch, Brussels Airport is ready to welcome its new visitors with open arms.
