The Airport Operations Centre, Brussels Airport’s nerve centre, is celebrating its 10th anniversary

Collaboration, data, and artificial intelligence ensure safe and efficient airport operations

Ten years ago, Brussels Airport opened its Airport Operations Centre (APOC), the nerve centre where all operational partners, including airlines, baggage handlers, and emergency services, work side by side to coordinate airport operations. What began as an innovative collaboration between a few airport partners in 2015 has grown into a leading and internationally recognised model for coordinated airport operations, ensuring a safe and pleasant journey for 70,000 passengers each day. 

The Airport Operations Centre (APOC), Brussels Airport’s nerve centre, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In APOC, various airport partners work together in a single location to coordinate operations and ensure a safe, efficient, and pleasant journey for an average of 70,000 passengers per day at Brussels Airport. In total, around 300 employees from the airport operator and its partners, including airlines, handlers, emergency services, external security service providers and customer service staff, work for APOC.  

“Ten years ago, the launch of APOC marked an important milestone in the way we manage airport operations together with our partners. Today, it stands as the beating heart of our daily activities, where collaboration and innovation converge to deliver a smooth and safe journey for all our passengers. The true strength of APOC lies in the combination of strong human collaboration and advanced technology. That is what makes it so effective. I am proud of what we have achieved together with our partners and we remain committed to further enhancing operational excellence through smart technologies and close cooperation in the future.”, says Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. 

Brussels Airport APOC as a model for other airports 

With financial support from the European Commission, APOC opened its doors in 2015 in the Skyhall, the former departure hall, before moving in 2018 to its current location in the heart of the terminal to be even closer to daily airport operations. The beating heart of the airport is continuously staffed by around 50 employees who constantly monitor and coordinate essential activities, including passenger and baggage processes. In 2021, the Airport Operations Plan (AOP) was implemented, which uses algorithms and artificial intelligence to provide accurate forecasts of peak times and passenger flows. Based on the information from the AOP, APOC can prepare for busy periods, such as the summer holidays, and swiftly take the necessary measures to respond to unexpected situations or incidents, ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the airport.  

Over the last ten years, Brussels Airport's APOC has established itself as a benchmark in international airport operations. In 2024, through its subsidiary Airport Intelligence, Brussels Airport contributed to the development of ‘Airport Operations Centres: A Guidebook’, in collaboration with the European umbrella organisation Airports Council International (ACI), providing insights into the operation of an APOC. The guidebook is considered a benchmark for APOCs worldwide and uses Brussels Airport's model as a source of inspiration for other airports. As a consultancy, Airport Intelligence has supported the establishment and optimisation of APOCs at more than ten airports across Europe and Asia over the past three years.  

As the airport evolves, its operational needs evolve as well. Brussels Airport therefore continues to invest in innovation and advanced technologies at APOC to remain a frontrunner. This includes the development of a new, state-of-the art nerve centre: APOC 360. The upgraded APOC is expected to be operational by 2028. With this, Brussels Airport aims to further strengthen cooperation with its partners and lift the efficiency of airport operations to an even higher level in the future.