Brussels Airport, 27 June 2007 - As from the second half of this week Brussels Airport will receive a record-breaking number of passengers. On Friday the airport expects over 36,000 departing passengers and on Saturday, Sunday and Monday about 25,000. On an ordinary day the airport registers an average of 15,000 departing passengers.

The large number of bookings are undoubtedly the result of the vast offer of budget holidays and low-fare flights though the fickle weather conditions of the past few weeks also had a hand in it. They pushed many a traveller to book a holiday in the sun after all.

During the summer months departing passengers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance of their departure time. It is best to arrive at the check-in desk two hours in advance for short-haul flights and three hours for long-haul flights. From 4 a.m. until past midday the departure hall will be very busy. This may also be the case as from the late afternoon.

Brussels Airport wishes to remind the passengers that the presence of liquids and gels in their hand baggage is strictly limited. Although the new European regulation has applied since November of last year, many holidaymakers are taking a plane for the first time this year and are hardly, if at all, aware of the new rules that apply.
Products in the form of liquids, gels, foam or paste are allowed in the hold baggage (the baggage you have checked in) but they are strictly limited in the hand baggage. Any liquids or gels you wish to take with you into the cabin should be held in containers of maximum 100ml and have to be presented to the screening staff in a re-sealable, transparent plastic bag of 20 x 20 cm, freezer bag type. 
We strongly advise passengers not to carry any liquid or gel-like items in their hand baggage if the use thereof in the aircraft cabin is not absolutely necessary.

This restriction does not apply to tax-free goods: these may also be carried on board in larger volumes because they were thoroughly screened before they arrived at the airport shops. The tax-free goods will be put into a sealed plastic bag. The seal may not be broken until you reach your final destination.
More details are available on www.brusselairport.be.

Every day about 500 kilograms of liquids and gels are confiscated at the passenger screening points. Containers that have already been opened are destroyed; unopened containers are donated to good causes. Spirits and alcoholic drinks are sold to an auctioneer's and the proceeds are donated to a number of orphanages. 

Brussels Airport would also like to remind travellers that for a lot of destinations they may need a passport or visa. Children too need to carry the necessary identity papers. Please contact your airline or travel agent for more details.