European airspace still open after Belgian attacks

The attacks in Brussels forced Zaventem international airport to shut down with hundreds of flights into and out of the Belgian capital either cancelled or diverted yesterday.

The serious disruption will spill into a second day after the airport confirmed it will be midday today at the earliest before it is re-opened.

“On behalf of the entire airport community, I would like to extend our warmest condolences to the family and friends of the victims of these cowardly and heinous acts,” said the airport’s chief executive Arnaud Feist.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the emergency and rescue services, passengers and staff for their compassion, solidarity and help. This is without doubt the blackest day in the history of Brussels Airport.”

Zaventem was closed almost as soon as the bomb detonated shortly after 8am local time yesterday. Tens of thousands of passengers were affected by its closure although it did not appear to have a significant knock-on effect on other major airports in Europe. Ryanair cancelled all flights to Zaventem, but those to and from Brussels’ Charleroi airport were running, though with some delays.

Extra time

The airline said all flights scheduled to and from Brussels Zaventem today will operate to and from Brussels Charleroi instead. It advised customers who had booked to fly from Zaventem to allow extra time for their journeys.

Aer Lingus cancelled two flights into Brussels yesterday. It said flights EI630 and EI631 from Brussels to Dublin today had also been cancelled.

Brussels Airport set up an emergency contact number +322 7537300 for those wishing to check on individuals who were at the airport.

The Department of Foreign Affairs urged Irish people in Belgium to “exercise extreme caution”.