NON-REGULATED INFORMATIONBrussels, 16 December 2024, 5:40 PM Nextensa announces successful sale of Brixton Retail Park in Zaventem, Belgium Nextensa announces that its Brixton Retail Park in Zaventem, Belgium has been successfully sold to a group of private investors for a net price of around €41 million. The retail park's individual properties were sold last Friday to private investors, who each bought one or more units. Avenue acted as broker in this and managed the transaction. The Brixton Retail Park, with a total area of 15,072 sqm, has been part of Nextensa's property portfolio since its IPO in 1999. The park has proven to be a highly successful investment during that period. Rents are among the highest in the commercial rental sector, and the park has consistently enjoyed full occupancy with quality tenants over the past 25 years. Strategically located near the E40, one of the main access roads to Brussels, the retail park comprises seven shops: Brico, Kwantum, Leen Bakker, Juntoo, De Matrassenkoning, X2O and Swiss Sense. In addition, the park has a private car park with its own charging infrastructure, including 16 Tesla Superchargers. Tenants also benefit from green electricity generated by the solar panel installations on the building's roof. This divestment is perfectly in line with Nextensa's strategy to focus on sustainable mixed-use projects in urban environments while further reducing its debt ratio. With this transaction, Nextensa shows that its portfolio allows for smooth asset rotation, creating space for new opportunities. "The sale of Brixton Retail Park is a historic moment for Nextensa. With this transaction, we are parting ways with our last retail property in Belgium. This allows us to further sharpen our focus on growth segments such as mixed-use urban office developments and residential projects with a focus on sustainability", says Michel Van Geyte, CEO of Nextensa. For more informationTim Rens | Chief Financial OfficerNextensa NV/SA | 0436.323.915 (RLE Brussels, Dutch-speaking division)Gare Maritime, Picardstraat 11, B505, 1000 Brussels+32 2 882 10 08 | investor.relations@nextensa.euwww.nextensa.eu Nextensa is a mixed property investor and developer. The company’s investment portfolio is divided between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (43%), Belgium (42%) and Austria (15%); its total value as at 30/09/2024 was approximately € 1.3 billion. As a developer, Nextensa is primarily active in shaping large urban developments. At Tour & Taxis (development of over 350,000 sqm) in Brussels, Nextensa is building a mixed real estate portfolio consisting of a revaluation of iconic buildings and new constructions. In Luxembourg (Cloche d’Or), it is working in partnership on a major urban extension of more than 400,000 sqm consisting of offices, retail and residential buildings. The company is listed on Euronext Brussels and has a market capitalisation of €442 M (value 30/09/2024). Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; editing by GV De Clercq Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved proudly announces the opening of greet Brussels Airport Zaventem the brand's first hotel in the Benelux region Located less than a five-minute drive from Brussels Airport this 68-room property offers the perfect location for travellers and visitors to the city greet is on a mission to redefine the eco-hospitality segment establishing itself as the most sustainable hotel brand in the industry With affordability and convenience at its core greet hotels are designed for individuals who care deeply about their environmental impact revolves around the principles of reducing The brand is a testament to circular hospitality where sustainability and creativity merge to offer affordable and meaningful stays The brand has grown to include more than 35 properties across Europe Vienna and Beaune - the birthplace of the brand - and now Brussels Upcoming openings in sought-after destinations such as Alicante and Nice further solidify greet's position as a fast growing sustainable and innovative hotel brand sustainability meets creativity and community Each of the 68 rooms is thoughtfully designed to tell a story featuring at least three distinctive upcycled objects sourced from reputable second-hand businesses which not only add character but also reinforce the brand's eco-friendly ethos The hotel's commitment to the environment is further reflected in partnerships with eco-conscious brands such as Dizy which provides breakfast tables crafted from sustainable materials and The Good Stuff Factory for upcycled chairs and communal tables Embracing local culture is integral to the greet experience artists from Atelier Louves have adorned the communal spaces with beautiful murals infusing the hotel with a sense of place and community In line with its sustainability commitment the hotel offers a breakfast menu featuring only local or regional products with bread from Le Boulangerie Belge et Bio and a bar selection showcasing the best of Belgian brews and spirits Even the uniforms worn by hotel team members are sourced from the Belgian brand Stanley/Stella greet Brussels Airport Zaventem provides practical amenities for travellers Guests can take advantage of up to 50 parking spaces perfect for those looking to save on airport parking A 24/7 reception ensures that travellers are welcomed at any hour and a light snacking menu featuring local delicacies complements the extensive breakfast offerings allowing guests to start their day on a sustainable note greet is a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless - an award-winning lifestyle loyalty programme that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. To book, visit: all.accor.com Hotel website Brand OwnerAccor your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Belgium’s busiest airports warned passengers most of their flights will be cancelled on Tuesday as thousands of airport workers go on strike and join a protest in the country's capital All departing flights from Brussels Zaventem airport in the city’s north have been cancelled the airport’s managers first posted on social media platform X on Friday Many of the arriving flights have similarly been cancelled Passengers expecting to travel from Brussels Charleroi will also face headaches with hundreds of departing flights put on ice Belgian media reports around 42,000 passengers will be affected The deficit of security staff is too large to ensure safe operations security staff and hospitality workers from varying European trade unions will demonstrate in the heart of the EU calling for improved working conditions and wages The demonstration kicks off at 10 am CET outside the Charleroi airport the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions said protesters aim to take action against the “high workload” and “poor working conditions” at the airport This includes inappropriate work temperatures expensive parking and overpriced and limited facilities for staff “Despite repeated signals to the airport operator … solutions are still lacking,” the union said in an online statement Another protest is scheduled in the European quarter reportedly calling for adjustments to the EU's public procurement rules that allegedly foster harmful working conditions across the bloc and Finland will attend the Brussels airport protest to voice their concerns about proposed procurement revisions The protest is being spearheaded by European trade union federations UNI Europa and Effat Over 100 experts signed a letter spearheaded by UNI Europa supporting the strike which they say aims to “stop the race to the bottom” The EU's current procurement process amplifies certain “market conditions” that can disregard certain criteria such as labour rights and fair working conditions “As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a revision to public procurement guidelines in her next mandate we support essential workers and European trade unions in their fight to ensure fair labour standards strengthen collective bargaining and workers’ voice within these outsourced services,” the letter said The European Commission has not commented publicly on the matter BRUSSELS — If you want to fly out of the Belgian capital on Tuesday Both Brussels Zaventem and Brussels South Charleroi airports will be massively disrupted by a nationwide strike by security Last Friday, Brussels Airport announced the cancellation of all departing flights for Tuesday In its latest update issued Monday and shared with POLITICO the airport said that “around 42,000 passengers (32,000 departing and 10,000 arriving) are affected by the strike” and that it expects “14,000 arriving passengers tomorrow (instead of the 24,000 initially planned).” should be relatively unaffected by the strike About 200 flights have been canceled by Brussels Airlines alone — the Belgian subsidiary of Lufthansa Group — which said in an emailed statement that it had 21,000 passengers booked for Oct Arriving flights are “still possible,” the airline added.  “Arriving passenger flights may operate, but cancellations are likely,” Brussels Airport said on its website The updated decision was made because too few security staff will be working during the strike to operate flights, a spokesperson told the Belgian press It’s not the first disruption for the airport. On Sept. 12, Charleroi airport was hit by a surprise strike which led to the cancellation of all flights and continued disruptions in the following days did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the upcoming strike at the airport Tuesday’s strike was called as part of the European trade union campaign against what it called a  “race to the bottom” in working conditions for essential workers — including cleaners security guards and food service employees “Unions are calling for new rules to strengthen collective bargaining uplift working conditions and ensure quality services for communities,” said the union federation UNI Europa.  Brussels Airport workers, who will gather in front of the airport on Tuesday at 10 a.m., are complaining about high workloads, lack of maintenance of airport infrastructure, “inappropriate temperatures” in the workplace, poor public transport and expensive parking. “In short, we are left out in the cold while the airport operator makes millions in profits every year,” said a statement from the ACV Puls union. “We have a contractual relationship with a number of external service providers,” said a spokesperson for Brussels Airport, noting “these are selected on the basis of tenders, which include price and quality criteria.” “As part of these calls for tender, we ensure that these employees are remunerated in accordance with the scales applicable in their respective sectors,” the spokesperson said, adding that disputes should be settled at the “service provider level.” Estonian Commission official Henrik Hololei faces disciplinary measures after opening of internal probe into claims of wrongdoing. Dozens of foreign leaders and ministers, headlined by U.S. President Donald Trump, are set to be in The Hague in June. Brussels is also worried about the risks to air safety posed by fake and uncertified parts installed in Russian planes. British police investigate electrical substation fire that brought Europe’s busiest airport to a standstill. ​CategoriesCategoriesEnglishPOLITICS, MOBILITYGilkinet: "Application of instruction regarding Boeing 777 at Zaventem has been suspended"27 August 2024 The ministerial instruction issued by outgoing minister of mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) which restricted the use of Boeing 777 aircraft at Zaventem airport during nighttime Gilkinet made this announcement on Tuesday during the House Committee on mobility He explained that if ongoing consultations with the Flemish government fail to yield a solution the issue will have to be resolved by the next federal government initially implemented in July of last year and reiterated in June mandated strict adherence to noise pollution regulations at Zaventem airport It also ended a decade-long exception that allowed the German parcel delivery company DHL to operate Boeing 777 aircraft at night despite these planes officially exceeding the maximum noise limits Gilkinet was called before the Chamber during recess by Open VLD and Vlaams Belang for further clarification He announced the suspension of the instruction stating it was a "logical consequence of the conflict of interest," intended to facilitate further consultation Gilkinet noted that if no solution is found before the next federal government takes office it will be up to that government to address the "illegal situation." including Bert Wollants and Theo Francken (N-VA) Kjell Vander Elst (Open VLD) and Tine Gielis (CD&V) called for the complete withdrawal of the instruction arguing that Gilkinet had overstepped his authority by issuing it during a period of current affairs They cited a letter from outgoing prime minister Alexander De Croo which disclosed his opposition to the instruction stating it should not have been issued during a caretaker government Fatima Lamarti (Vooruit) accused Gilkinet of using the situation to bolster his profile ahead of the municipal elections in October In response to a request from CD&V parliament member Tine Gielis the Chamber's services are now investigating whether Gilkinet had the authority to make this decision during a caretaker period Dieter Van Besien (Groen) suggested a broader discussion on balancing the airport's economic interests with the health of local residents Kemal Bilmez (PVDA) pressed Gilkinet to ensure that no jobs would be lost at Brussels Airport due to the instruction ​#FlandersNewsService | Mobility minister Georges Gilkinet © BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ Copy linkGet updates in your mailboxYour email addressSubscribeBy clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media not to mention entertainment and lifestyle our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language businesses and various organisations that need reliable information Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs www.belganewsagency.eu The empty departure hall of Brussels Airport is seen in Zaventem Tens of thousands of people marched through central Brussels on Thursday to protest against planned government reforms as unions warned of further strike action unless policymakers reconsider their proposals The demonstration brought parts of the capital to a standstill halting traffic on key routes and disrupting public transport Brussels Airport canceled 430 flights as ground operations were suspended and tram services were severely affected.(Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) 13 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of people marched through central Brussels around 60,000 demonstrators participated in the protest waving banners and chanting slogans against measures outlined in the newly-formed Arizona federal government agreement have sparked widespread anger across Belgium Protesters expressed concerns that these measures could disproportionately impact lower-income workers and put further strain on the country's already stretched public service infrastructure arguing that the reforms will undermine job security and reduce the quality of state services Union leaders have warned of a nationwide general strike on March 31 if the government does not respond A flight information board and the logo of Brussels Airport are seen at the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Zaventem Empty waiting lines are seen at the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Zaventem A man rides past an empty tram station in Brussels A woman walks past a flight information board at the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Zaventem A flight information board is seen at the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Zaventem 2025 shows the Brussels Airport in Zaventem Critics argue Brussels Airport causes excessive noise pollution while also chafing against Flemish oversight of a nuisance affecting the Francophone capital This article is part of The New Commute, a special report on urban mobility in Europe from POLITICO’s Global Policy Lab: Living Cities. Sign up here BRUSSELS — Belgium’s familiar linguistic divide has a new battleground: Brussels Airport While the hub serves as a doorway to the Belgian capital’s many expats and tourists residents are crying foul over what they see as excessive noise pollution and Flemish officials’ uneven oversight of an airport whose effects are felt primarily in the Francophone city of Brussels but also in the surrounding Dutch-speaking communities Appeals to economic growth and employment opportunities have met a cold reception from Brussels residents who worry about night flights’ negative effects on their sleep quality and health.  the Flemish regional government’s willingness to expand Brussels Airport’s capacity while placing strict limits on Antwerp’s has driven advocates to the courts in an effort to undo what they see as unfair treatment.  But unlike in other European tourism hotspots that saw revolts against mass tourism this summer but rather the 200,000 annual flights themselves — which occur day and night “I have been overflown so much that I preferred to rent my house and move,” said Brigitte Buffard located in the neighboring town of Zaventem I’m still bothered by the noise,” she added Buffard has been a member of Bruxelles Air Libre a nonprofit campaigning against airplane noise but “there were people protesting even before” then Many “ended up leaving the city because they couldn’t stand the planes anymore.” Local politicians have tried to solve the problem by asking for — and sometimes getting — flight paths rerouted so that planes bother neighbors instead of their constituents but this only diverts the issue instead of addressing it.   Recently, 13 local NGOs formed a coalition to lobby for changes to air traffic When it comes to aircraft noise in the Brussels area “there’s a lot of NIMBY [not in my backyard] pressure,” while “the impact of noise should be assessed much more from the perspective of the entire community around the airport,” said Jos Jonckers representing a Flemish community next to the airport According to a recent report by Belgium’s Superior Health Council “some 160,000 people are at increased risk from exposure to excessive noise levels,” around Brussels Airport According to Brussels Airport spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli “the airport’s noise impact has already decreased significantly by 57 percent between 2000 and 2019,” and “the number of potentially highly impacted people in the vicinity of the airport will decrease further by 12 percent in the coming years” thanks to new technologies But residents are far from reassured by the airport’s promises The anti-noise groups largely target nighttime cargo flights an assessment the industry challenges.  During the pandemic, “it was a DHL [cargo] flight that sent the first shipment of Covid vaccines from Pfizer around the world,” said Lorenzo Van de Pol director of public affairs for delivery giant DHL Group The overnight cargo flights from Brussels also carry “radioactive isotopes for cancer chemotherapy which have a lifespan of hours when they leave the factory so time is of the essence [to get the treatment to hospitals],” Van de Pol added The DHL representative said the company was making efforts to reduce the effects of noise through technological innovation and fleet renewal “It’s not only a question of the magnitude of the noise but also of the frequency,” Jonckers replied “One very noisy flight during the night will wake you up once Experts from the Belgian Superior Health Council are particularly worried about flights between 6-7 a.m. when “individuals typically spend more time in lighter sleep stages,” which are “more easily disrupted by external stimuli.” In 2019 there were 10,029 flights during this hourlong window “We are operating an airport; there is always going to be some disturbance,” Van de Pol said In addition to goods, no fewer than 22.2 million passengers traveled through Brussels Airport last year a major engine of the Belgian economy after the Port of Antwerp politicians and lobbyists who can easily reach the airport for their diplomatic missions thanks to regular train connections to Schuman Station in the European Quarter In April, the then-Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU held an event focusing on sustainable travel, boasting that Brussels Airport “connects Europe to the world.” According to an airport-commissioned study by the University of Antwerp and UCLouvain the hub employs about 64,000 people (directly or indirectly) and generates almost €5.5 billion in added value for the local economy representing 1.13 percent of Belgium’s GDP in 2019.  Taking catalytic effects — such as supply-side revenue — into account these figures jump to more than 81,000 employees €8.8 billion in added value and 1.85 percent of GDP such economic arguments leave residents unmoved “The economic argument cannot be the only [one] taken into consideration as is currently the case,” said Olivier Maingain less than 4 kilometers from the European Commission “is overflown intensively” as “nearly 45 percent of take-offs take place on the so-called left turn route over the east of Brussels,” Maingain added People interested in moving to the area even ask residents on social media how bad the situation is While Brussels residents complain about nighttime noise from flights, their fellow countrymen in Antwerp can sleep soundly, thanks to a ban on night flights introduced this summer by Flanders’ environment minister Such differences illustrate how such debate has been swept up — perhaps predictably — in Belgium’s ongoing linguistic tensions.  While Brussels is a predominantly French-speaking city the airport lies just over the border in Dutch-speaking Flanders which puts it under the jurisdiction of the Flemish region of the country Demir may have taken a hard line on night flights in Antwerp, but last spring, when she decided whether to renew the environmental permit for Brussels Airport, she chose not to stop night flights the hub was given room to grow to 240,000 annual flights by 2032 more than 20 percent above current levels — but that didn’t satisfy the airport “The number of passengers and cargo tonnage will grow with the economy and the demand,” said spokesperson Chioua Lekhli noting that 240,000 annual flights had “now become a cap as the airport should be able to grow in a sustainable way with more flights if the noise impact does not grow.” “You cannot impose such operating restrictions as the limitation of the number of movements without first going through the European Balanced Approach procedure,” she added referring to the EU regulation that requires the European Commission’s approval to reduce air traffic at major hubs.“It will have to be seen whether these measures can indeed be imposed or whether they need to be adjusted.” The Flemish liberals — also part of the Brussels government majority — opposed Maron’s decision and forced him to file the lawsuit as an initiative of the single environment ministry rather than on behalf of the entire Brussels government In May, the Flemish government asked Belgium’s federal government to pay fines of €100,000 a day as long as flight paths — decided at the national level — bothered Flemish people “Flanders systematically blocked any attempt to improve the situation,” said NGO member Buffard The page you are looking for might have been removed Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Improving connections at one of Belgium’s busiest stations Train passengers heading to Brussels Airport are being warned of significant service disruptions as a €9.2 million renovation project begins on the railway lines leading to the airport says the work is necessary to modernise ageing tracks and ensure safe The project will be completed in two phases with the first already underway and lasting until 21 February and some wooden sleepers are still in use,’ explained Infrabel spokesperson Frédéric Sacré ‘If we want to continue offering quality infrastructure The impact on passengers is expected to be significant, with only 225 trains stopping at the airport daily instead of the usual 330. Direct connections from cities such as Liège, Namur, and Hasselt to the airport have been suspended temporarily, and the EuroCity train between Brussels and Rotterdam will bypass the station altogether alternative options include increased train services to Zaventem station where buses will provide onward connections to the airport including via Mechelen and the Diabolo line allowing some travellers to bypass the disruptions The next phase of upgrades is set to begin in November and will last three weeks during which an additional five switches and 800 metres of track will be replaced Brussels Airport station is one of Belgium’s busiest rail hubs with nearly 10,000 passengers boarding trains there daily Infrabel believes these upgrades are crucial to ensuring the station remains a vital link in the national rail network Passengers are advised to check timetables and allow extra time for journeys during the works the improvements promise a safer and more efficient travel experience for the future Find more news about Belgium Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Flights in and out of Belgium will be brought to a standstill today as air traffic controllers join a nationwide strike protesting government pension reforms and cost-cutting measures the airspace closure will last from 6:45 am to 10:15 pm CET impacting major airports including Brussels the strike is part of wider protests against Belgium’s new budget reform which unions argue will negatively impact public services The ACV Transcom union confirmed that air traffic controllers are joining the strike in solidarity with other affected workers all commercial flights below 7,500 meters will be grounded forcing airlines to cancel or reroute services rescue and medical flights will continue operating With Belgian airspace closing, airlines are working on alternative solutions for affected passengers. Aviation Source News reported that some flights are being diverted to neighbouring airports, with Wizz Air confirming nine flights will be rerouted to Maastricht Aachen Airport in the Netherlands Other airlines are expected to adopt similar measures though significant delays and cancellations are unavoidable Passengers with scheduled flights to or from Belgium on February 13 are advised to check with their airlines for rebooking options or refunds According to Aviation Source News, Maastricht Aachen Airport has confirmed that it is scaling up operations deploying extra staff and increasing support services to handle the surge in passengers The nationwide protest is driven by opposition to the Belgian government’s proposed pension reforms and public service cuts Unions argue that these changes will harm workers and reduce the quality of essential services The air traffic controllers’ strike forms a crucial part of these demonstrations causing one of the biggest air travel disruptions in Belgium in recent years the aviation sector is bracing for widespread disruptions highlighting the deepening tensions between unions and the government over Belgium’s future economic policies View all news in Belgium. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish. ​CategoriesCategoriesEnglishGENERALFive times more cocaine found in parcels at Zaventem airport in 202418 December 2024 Customs found five times more cocaine in parcels at Zaventem airport in 2024 This was announced on Wednesday at a press conference of the FPS Finance Customs also noted a sharp increase in cannabis khat and synthetic drugs seized at the airport By the end of November, a total of 130 kilos of cocaine had been seized in postal parcels at Zaventem airport this year. This is five times more than in 2023 Customs also discovered 1,123 kilos of khat Zaventem airport is thus becoming increasingly popular as a transit point for drug trafficking The destinations of the packages are countries such as Australia a gram of cocaine has a street value of 180 euros Customs have also seen a huge increase in the number of seizures and the amount of drugs smuggled in by passengers Drugs enter Belgium in this way mainly from Latin America New trafficking routes are also being established from Africa This increase is linked to a general rise in the production and consumption of different types of drugs, according to Kristian Vanderwaeren, head of the Belgian General Administration of Customs and Excise. The increase in synthetic drugs in particular is "worrying" Vanderwaeren expects both the production and consumption of drugs to continue to increase in the coming years This will be accompanied by an increase in the amount of drugs seized at Zaventem airport The variety of drugs will also continue to increase A man poses for a photo with a painting marking the Year of the Snake during an event in celebration of the Spring Festival at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem People pose for a photo during an event in celebration of the Spring Festival at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem An artist writes the Chinese character "fu," meaning "good fortune," during an event in celebration of the Spring Festival at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem An artist (R) hands out a Spring Festival decoration with the Chinese character "fu," meaning "good fortune," to a girl during an event in celebration of the Spring Festival at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem Brussels Airport at Zaventem (Flemish Brabant) and Charleroi Airport in Hainaut Province have said that all departures will be cancelled on Thursday On Thursday the three main trade unions are staging a day of action Incoming flights are also expected to be impacted by the action liberal and Christian trade unions are staging a day of action on Thursday 13 February against the new federal government’s socio-economic plans Last week Brussels Airport already warned of disruption as it expects a large portion of it baggage handlers and security staff to strike  Now the airport has decided to cancel all departures on Thursday and is asking passengers not to go to there Tens of thousands of people will see their travel plans disrupted There are 215 departures and 215 arrivals at Zaventem every day A Brussels Airport spokesman told journalists that “In order to guarantee the safety of passengers and staff we have decided in consultation with the airlines not to allow any passenger flight departures on Thursday We obviously regret the impact on our passengers” Brussels Airport advises those due to arrive on Thursday to check the status of their flight with their airline or on the Brussels Airport website All flights scheduled to depart on Thursday have also been cancelled at Charleroi Airport The airport says that due to the lack of staff the airport had said that three quarters of flights would be cancelled only flights arriving from countries within the Schengen Zone will touch done at Charleroi on Thursday BRUSSELS — The roar of a jet engine and a good night's sleep aren't really compatible — and that's a problem for Brussels Zaventem Airport the controversy over the airport's late-night flights also involves clashing governments and regional tensions The Flemish regional government, which regulates the hub that lies near the Belgian capital, renewed the environmental permit for the airport in March. The new permit doesn't include any restrictions on night flights during the week and only gradually introduces a “quiet weekend nights” scheme That has local residents and some politicians up in arms. On Tuesday, Belgium's Superior Health Council, an advisory body to the national government, backed a ban on night flights 16,284 aircraft were using the airport between 11 p.m “In the area around Brussels Airport, some 160,000 people are at increased risk from exposure to excessive noise levels,” which can lead to “sleep disorders, learning difficulties, high blood pressure and depression,” the council said in its more than 100-page report Exposed residents experienced more than 10 noisy overflights per night in 2019 The data convinced the Health Council to recommend a total ban on landings and takeoffs between 11 p.m to “at least allow those living near the airport to benefit from 7 hours The report also concludes that increasing aircraft movements “is not acceptable.” The Flemish environmental approval does recognize the noise problem — it's just not rushing to deal with it The quiet weekend night scheme would go into effect in the summer of 2025 when only low-noise planes would be allowed to land between 1 a.m “truly silent aircraft are not a realistic option in the near future.” don't help much because “sleep tends to be less deep in the early morning flights occurring during that time of the day have a significant effect on the perception of sleep quality as sleepers are more easily woken up,” the health experts said in the report Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke "There is no future for an airport in this densely populated region that only thrives on significant nighttime activity. So I am in favor of a gradual, realistic but systematic reduction of night flights, with flights with the noisiest aircraft being stopped first. At night you have to let people sleep," he said this week But the health body's calls for fewer flights clashes with the airport's economic importance Zaventem airport said it had cut noise impact by 57 percent between 2000 and 2019 "The study focuses only on health, but not on the social and economic importance of the airport. The night flights are already severely limited, but necessary," it said in a statement to local media adding: "We want to keep the night flights because they are necessary for cargo operations as well as the airport's passenger network." Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that Brussels Airport is the second-largest driver of growth in the national economy after the port of Antwerp “It’s 2 percent of our GDP. There are more than 350 companies connected to this site,” he said during a recent event at the hub The most vocal defenders of residents' sleep are the Greens with Brussels Regional Environment Minister Alain Maron recently announcing that he'll take the Flemish government's permit to court However, Maron won't represent the entire Brussels regional government in the legal challenge, as the Liberals oppose the action. It's “not in Brussels’ interest” as the airport is also “one of the biggest employers of low-skilled Brussels residents,” said Finance Minister Sven Gatz The report notes that the airport's location and the complicated nature of Belgian politics "Due to the specific location of Brussels Airport near the border of different regions and communities adequate handling and burden-sharing of aircraft noise has been a complex political issue for decades," it said Estonian Commission official Henrik Hololei faces disciplinary measures after opening of internal probe into claims of wrongdoing Brussels is also worried about the risks to air safety posed by fake and uncertified parts installed in Russian planes British police investigate electrical substation fire that brought Europe’s busiest airport to a standstill Firefighters rescued two people from a blaze at a house in the Flemish Brabant municipality of Zaventem on Sunday night The fire completely gutted the house on the Doggeweg The Fire Service received a call at around 1:30am to tackle a fire at a house on the Doggeweg The Flemish Brabant West Fire Service spokesman Wouter Jenefils told VRT News that the fire had started on the second floor of the building In addition to fire engines 2 ambulances attended the scene One resident of the building was brought to safety from a balcony a second resident was abler to escape by using a so-called ‘rescue hood’ A rescue hood is put over the head and is connected to a firefighters’ oxygen bottle and we are able get them out safely through the smoke This kind of rescue is far from easy and requires a lot from the firefighter” the house was made uninhabitable by the fire Snowfall has led to a far calmer rush hour than usual on Thursday morning There are problems on public transport in Brussels and at Brussels Airport some flights have been cancelled there are problems in several places due to snow Brussels local transport company MIVB reports bus services are especially being delayed in Ukkel Tram traffic is little affected for the time being While on the whole the morning rush hour is quieter than normal there are nevertheless considerable delays in two regions notes VRT traffic expert Hajo Beeckman Problems persist in the Kortrijk-Ieper region of West Flanders and on smaller roads between Tienen Leuven and Brussels in Flemish Brabant and the capital Train traffic is currently not affected by the snow rail company NMBS said this morning The heating in carriages is switched on before the first journey so that the trains are not cold when they set out overhead cables also remain energised throughout the day to avoid condensation Railtrackoperator Infrabel has also prepared for the snow Special ‘ice trains’ are used to run over certain routes to clear overhead cables of ice a number of flights are delayed this morning due to the snow Several centimetres of snow have fallen in Zaventem Delays of 15 minutes to an hour are possible and a number of flights have also been cancelled Delays are mainly due to planes that need to be properly de-iced the runways have to be cleared of snow using snowplows Passengers are advised to get to the airport on time and keep an eye on the Brussels Airport website SPIE is the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications Our 55,000 employees are committed to achieving the energy transition and responsible digital transformation alongside our customers SPIE aims to contribute to a more sustainable Do you want to use your skills to contribute to projects that help society a key player in the energy transition and digital transformation We are committed to the fight against climate change and mobilised for a responsible digital transformation intall and maintain energy-efficient and environmentaly-friendly facilities Find in this section all the useful information you can access SPIE's profile and key figures Would you like to interview an SPIE spokesperson the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications which will be executed over the next ten years in Brussels These recently signed contracts cover the maintenance of buildings owned by Befimmo the largest owner of offices in Belgium and Luxembourg SPIE Belgium’s Building Services department was awarded an initial maintenance contract by the property operator for the Brederode II building the technical facilities of which had been installed by the Building Projects division of SPIE Belgium Befimmo entrusted SPIE’s Services division with the technical management of its brand new building – the Quatuor an avant-garde property complex built in the northern district of Brussels These initial fruitful collaborations allowed SPIE to gain the trust of Befimmo which decided to award SPIE three new full guarantee maintenance contracts for: All three sites will benefit from a comprehensive range of maintenance services in several key areas: Ikaros Park in Zaventem is a major business hub that covers an area of 45,821 m² and is where a number of leading companies base their activities The Ikaros Park maintenance contract was initiated on 1 June 2024 and will run until 2034 The Central Gate office complex in Brussels which covers an area of 32,429 m² and is located in the heart of Brussels is the home of Befimmo and other well-known companies on the Belgian market SPIE Belgium’s period of maintenance in this building began on 1 July 2024 and is also for a period of ten years The Esprit Courbevoie office building in Louvain-la-Neuve which was handed over in 2024 and provides a showcase for Befimmo’s hybrid offering of services includes 4,300 m² of offices and 4,000 m² of coworking space SPIE started with a technical facility management assignment at the end of the project between late 2023 and the beginning of 2024 and was awarded a maintenance contract for a period of 5 years in April 2024 Business Unit Manager at SPIE explains: “We are extremely honoured to have been selected by Befimmo to manage property complexes of such quality and scale We are bringing our technical expertise and know-how to ensure the reliability and sustainability of Befimmo’s facilities and provide state-of-the-art technology to all occupants of these buildings.” These contracts are a reflection of Befimmo’s renewed confidence in SPIE Belgium to maintain the quality and performance of its infrastructure in Belgium This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations The aftermath of Tuesday’s twin bombings at Brussels airport and on its metro EURACTIV gives up to the minute updates on the latest developments and implications at European level a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions India and Africa headquarters to a better connected collaborative and sustainable office on the outskirts of Brussels The new location is a short distance from Bridgestone’s prior office at the Corporate Village The Bridgestone EMIA headquarters is home to the organisation’s sales tyre solutions and support function teams who represent more than 36 nationalities Bridgestone’s employees and visitors benefit from close access to Brussels Airport and the Belgian motorway network as well as a brand-new cycle highway and a myriad of public transport options The building is located a short walk from Zaventem town centre and offers green spaces on-site fitness facilities and various catering options The interior of the office space has been custom-designed to offer various options for flexible working in line with the company’s smart working philosophy while meeting spaces have been fitted with technology to enable seamless and engaging collaboration with hybrid teams from across the world Furniture has been selected with sustainability in mind by re-using existing furniture and choosing only local suppliers while finishings used across the office space make use of recycled and sustainably sourced materials “This move to our new Bridgestone EMIA headquarters has given us the opportunity to create a desirable working space that meets the needs of our global hybrid teams as we adapt to a smart working pattern” “Our people now benefit from a better connected more collaborative and sustainable working environment and due to the location our Bridgestone brand also benefits from the visibility from one of Belgium’s busiest highways This truly is an office to be proud of and we look forward to welcoming our partners to visit in the new year.” Media information: Liesbeth Denys Director Public Affairs & Communications  +32 478 782 622 and Africa (Bridgestone EMIA) is the regional Strategic Business Unit of Bridgestone Corporation Bridgestone EMIA employs more than 20,000 people and conducts business in 40 countries across the region Bridgestone offers a diverse portfolio of premium tyres tyre technologies and advanced mobility solutions The company’s vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society our customers and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities decision making and actions throughout every area of the business For more information about Bridgestone in EMIA, please visit www.bridgestone-emia.com and press.bridgestone-emia.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. Brussels Airlines has announced that a day of action by the trade unions at Brussels Airport in Zaventem (Flemish Brabant) will lead to almost all of its flights being cancelled on Tuesday 1 October. “Severe disruption” is expected as staff take action in protest against what they say are poor working conditions endured by security, cleaning and catering staff. Brussels Airport has warned that action by security staff will have a “major impact” on operations at Zaventem. The airport has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules to and from Zaventem on 1 October. In a press release, Brussels Airlines said that “As a result of the action, security screening capacity at Brussels Airport will be greatly reduced. With this in mind Brussels Airlines has taken the difficult decision to cancel the majority of our flights on 1 October”. Brussels Airlines will notify affected the passengers as soon as possible. The company will offer them alternative travel arrangements and it says that it will do all it can to get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible. This could involve flying a day earlier or a day later or for transfer passengers transferring via Brussels Airport, a transfer via another Lufthansa Group hub. If Brussels Airlines has the passenger’s contact details, they will be offered alternative travel arrangements by email Passengers are advised to check their contact details via the Brussels website, under ‘my booking’. ​CategoriesCategoriesEnglishGENERAL, MOBILITY, INNOVATIONLongest bike and pedestrian bridge in Belgium inaugurated in Machelen 4 October 2024 A new bike and pedestrian bridge was inaugurated in the Flemish municipality of Machelen it’s the longest bridge of its kind in Belgium Work on the bridge started in December 2022 The bridge directly connects the Harenweg in Zaventem with the Sint-Stevens-Woluwestraat in Machelen spanning the busy Leopold III Avenue or A201 cyclists and pedestrians had to cross that avenue via the Bourgetlaan and Raketstraat which involved some potentially dangerous crossings and caused a detour of almost a kilometre The new construction addresses these issues It’s also a welcome investment for nearby companies The new structure also covers the existing tram line on the avenue Stairs on the side of the bridge will provide a connection to the tram stops The new bridge will furthermore form a link between the future Ring Cycle Path the cycle path that follows the Ring road around Brussels The Flemish government has invested 11.7 million euros in the project The bridge is part of the Work on the Ring road programme through which the organisation De Werkvennootschap is building a total of 115 km of new cycling infrastructure along the Ring road around Brussels representing an investment of 300 million euros “We are working to open up the whole region properly so that cycling becomes a fully-fledged alternative to the car to get to Brussels,” said Stijn Quaghebeur #FlandersNewsService | Bike and pedestrian bridge with a length of 710 m between Machelen and Zaventem © BELGA PHOTO INE GILLIS & © BELGA VIDEO INE GILLIS