Brussels Airport receives a rich variety of passenger, cargo, military and executive aircraft and now there are two viewing areas that offer excellent views and photographic opportunities, as Spencer Bennett describes.
AIRPORT: BRUSSELS AIRPORT
OPENING TIMES FOR BOTH VIEWING AREAS: 24 HOURS
COST: FREE
As the largest and busiest airport in Belgium, Brussels handles in excess of 24m passengers a year and is also a major cargo hub. It is the home base for Brussels Airlines, TUI Belgium and the Belgian Defence – Air Component transport fleet.
The terrorist attack in March 2016 at the airport led to plans for the viewing areas being put on hold. However, after consulting local enthusiasts the airport announced in February 2017 it was to create two ‘spotting platforms’. Construction work started in April that year and 12 months later both were opened.
One is situated in Steenokkerzeel near the threshold of Runway 25L. The raised structure has three levels. A focal length of only 100-150mm (on a crop sensor camera) is needed for an Airbus A320 or 50-70mm for larger aircraft such as a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Most aircraft use 25L for landing although military and freight flights usually touch down on 25R due to i…
