Brussels Airport has begun a €25 million programme to refurbish all 33 passenger boarding bridges in Pier A, which serves Schengen flights. Work will take place in stages over five years, with completion scheduled for 2031.
The bridges provide direct access between departure gates and aircraft. The oldest have been in daily use since Pier A opened in 2002, and several technical and structural components now need renewal.
New Controls and Refurbished Components
Each bridge has been assessed individually to identify which parts require refurbishment or replacement.
The upgrades include new control systems and additional sensors to help ground handling teams work more efficiently. Floors, windows and other components will also be renewed where needed.
According to the airport, the work will prepare the bridges for at least another 15 years of operation while maintaining applicable safety and operational standards.
Phased Work to Limit Passenger Disruption
No more than three boarding bridges will be renovated at once, allowing the airport to retain capacity for flights and passengers. During the busier summer season, that limit will fall to two.
The movable sections of each bridge will be detached from the pier and transported to the manufacturer for refurbishment. Depending on the work required, they will spend several months there before returning to Brussels Airport for reinstallation.
The airport says the phased approach is designed to minimise disruption throughout the programme.
Five-Year Investment in Pier A
The renovation renews infrastructure used by passengers travelling within the Schengen area, extending the service life of the existing bridges.
Brussels Airport handles around 25 million passengers annually. The boarding bridge programme forms part of its ongoing investment in passenger facilities, with all 33 upgrades due to be finished in 2031.
