Brussels Airport a FLIGHT to the FUTURE of EUROPE
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Brussels Airport A FLIGHT TO THE FUTURE OF EUROPE www.brusselsairport.be Brussels Airport A FLIGHT TO THE FUTURE OF EUROPE We recently visited Brussels Airport to find out about the new directions the airport is taking, particularly in the areas of sustainability and integrating with other modes of transport in and around the city RESEARCH BY Joseph Philips 2 [ DEC 2019 ] BUSINESS EXCELLENCE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE [ DEC 2019 ] 3 BRUSSELS AIRPORT ew cities are European in the way that the airport, from a total of 238 destinations, country’s economy. In terms of employment, Brussels, the multilingual capital city shuttled by nearly 80 airlines. it directly employs 24,000 people, but that F of Belgium, is. This is reflected by the We recently by Brussels Airport to find out “One of the standout figure jumps to 60,000 people when indirect fact that, as the administrative capital of the EU, about the new directions the airport is taking, statistics about Brussels employment is accounted for. it is also known as ‘the capital city of the EU.’ particularly in the areas of sustainability and Brussels Airport closely works together with This is where nearly all the important EU-level integrating with other modes of transport in Airport is that it contributes regional public employment agencies including decisions are made on an ongoing basis - the and around the city. We started by learning almost 2% to Belgium’s VDAB (Flanders), Actiris (Brussels) and Forem beating heart of the European project. about the social and economic impact that it (Wallonia) to bring together employers at In this context, Brussels Airport acts as has on Belgium at large. GDP every year, and has an the airport and jobseekers, and promotes an a nexus for all of Europe. When passing estimated added value of improved accessibility of the airport by public through its terminal, it’s not unusual to Social and Economic Impact transport to make sure that they arrive at work. bump into well known senior European One of the standout statistics about Brussels around €3.2 billion to the Making sure that thousands of jobs can be politicians coming to and from the city. Airport is that it contributes almost 2% to country’s economy.” created at Brussels Airport in the coming years However, they’re not the only ones: in 2018, Belgium’s GDP every year, and has an estimated and continuing to connect Belgium to the rest over 25 million passengers passed through added value of around €3.2 billion to the of the world is our everyday challenge. In doing 4 [ DEC 2019 ] BUSINESS EXCELLENCE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE [ DEC 2019 ] 5 BRUSSELS AIRPORT AEROSERVICES so, the airport strives to achieve the optimal Aeroservices, an aviation handling company balance between economic growth and the started its operations at Brussels Airport impact on the environment in a stable legal during the winter of 2017-2018. and regulatory framework. As an expert in winter operations, particularly One of the ways in which the airport has de-icing, we are making a difference at a daily impact on the social fabric of the city Brussels Airport. As a flexible and highly is by being an intermodal transport hub. That qualified handler, we provide support to is - unlike most cities - the airport in Brussels airlines and active ground handlers for all is the centre of the action rather than a bus aviation services. journey into a neighbouring commuter city. External cleanings, lavatory & potable water Many people already travel by public transport services are some of the services that we to the airport now, not to catch a plane, but to offer today. easily change to another means of transport. Our approach at Brussels Airport came after They’re using Brussels Airport as a junction several airlines informed us about some where they change to another means of “present” bottlenecks. transport on their way to work, school or any We are proud of our team and the goals we other destination. Management at the airport have already achieved and will continue wants to develop this role even more in the to invest in training as well as up-to-date future, so we can contribute towards solving equipment so that we will always make the the mobility problems in our region. difference at Brussels Airport. Our brand new Safeaero de-icing trucks as Building on its role as a mobility hub well as towbarless Douglas trucks can only Recognizing its role as a mobility hub, the confirm the above mentioned statement. management at Brussels Airport have set out www.aeroservices.be to improve on that for the citizens of Brussels. They envision a future with more train services, EXPERTS IN WINTER OPERATIONS • De-icing Services • Aircraft Servicing • Airside Assistance T: +32 477 35 20 66 E: [email protected] aeroservices.be BUSINESS EXCELLENCE [ DEC 2019 ] 7 BRUSSELS AIRPORT 24/7 bus services, an airport shuttle, tram Airport. In the month of November 2019, the Reliable partner for value-added connections, connections with local cycle shuttle performed several demo trips without paths and new access roads. passengers to test the technology in a real-life logistic process automation This vision led them to set an ambitious environment. In 2021, it will be fully ready. target that by the year 2040, 50% of the passengers and the airport employees will Developing Transport come by public transport, bicycle or on foot, means Developing Sustainability as compared with the current 30%. That will The increasing role of Brussels Airport as a help to reduce traffic congestion in the region mobility hub for the city means that it needs to as a whole. Airport management is working get sustainability right. The good news is that it with the government and with the transport does, and it continues to improve. As recently companies to give substance to this plan. as March 2019, the airport put in place a fleet The next few years will also see the of electric buses, dramatically reducing carbon introduction of an automated airport shuttle. emissions for journeys to and from the airport’s Vanderlande is the global market leader for value-added logistic process automation at airports. Its systems are active The self-driving people mover has already terminal. They represent just a small step that in 600 airports including 14 of the world’s top 20. Vanderlande’s extensive portfolio of integrated solutions – innovative clocked up its first few metres at Brussels the airport will make to reach its target of 40% systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services – results in the realisation of fast, reliable and efficient automation technology. > vanderlande.com “The next few years will also see the introduction of an automated airport shuttle” VANDERLANDE, SETTING THE DIRECTION FOR A LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP Since 2019, Vanderlande is working on upgrading related activities at Brussels Airport. Integration the baggage handling system at Brussels Airport. of the new system will be executed during live Previously Vanderlande was involved in the operations, without impact on the passenger implementation of our PAX checkpoint solutions, experience. This requires a high level of enabling a secure, seamless, rapid and positive ‘brownfield’ experience in terms of both hardware traveling experience for all passengers. and software. With this in mind, the strengths Brussels Airport Company is rolling out a of Vanderlande and ENGIE Fabricom have been large-scale investment programme, including combined to create synergy and implement the the replacement of the conventional baggage best overall innovative and sustainable solutions handling system with Vanderlande’s innovative to support Brussels Airport in achieving its long- ICS technology. New hold baggage screening term strategic vison 2040. And become Europe’s machines will be integrated to comply with the best airport by 2040. latest EU standard 3 regulations. The foreseen www.vanderlande.com operational improvements will allow the airport to handle an expected growth in annual passenger numbers from 25 to 40 million within the next 20 years. Vanderlande is cooperating closely with ENGIE Fabricom, a key supplier in respect to BHS- 8 [ DEC 2019 ] BUSINESS EXCELLENCE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE [ DEC 2019 ] 9 BRUSSELS AIRPORT ENGIE carbon reduction (from 2010 output) by 2030. For example, all new buildings at Brussels ENGIE, through its subsidiaries active in Sustainability is one of the most important Airport are designed setting out from Belgium, has been a long term partner of values of Brussels Airport Company. One of particularly strict sustainability criteria. The the key aspects of sustainability within Brussels energy consumption of the future fire stations Brussels Airport since 1989. More than Airport Company is care for the environment, for instance will be virtually zero, by resorting 200 colleagues are present at Brussels the surrounding area and energy consumption. to solar panels, solar water heaters and heat Airport on a daily basis, putting all their Its environmental and energy policy fits in with pumps. Elsewhere, a study into the biodiversity energy in increasing the safety and the mission and vision of the company. at the Brussels Airport site is to be conducted comfort of the passengers. The airport’s environmental policy looks at a in association with non-profit organisation broad spectrum of environmental sustainability: Natuurpunt, in order to better identify how to Our competencies range from technical Energy and CO2 reduction, waste reduction safeguard or even improve this biodiversity. installations in airport buildings to and disposal, water use limitations and Brussels Airport is also signing up to the passenger safety. Our know-how enables treatment, soil maintenance and noise control. Flemish Government’s Circular Procurement us to implement multi-technical airport These goals, in turn, drive the operations at Green Deal.