Brussels Airport to remain closed until at least Friday

Europe’s largest airline confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that its flights to and from Brussels would remain away from the city’s Zaventem Airport until at least Friday.

Following twin bombings at the port last week in which 17 people were killed, Ryanair moved its flights to the so-called Brussels Charleroi Airport, 30 miles south of the city.

On Tuesday morning, the Zaventem airport authority confirmed it would remain closed until further notice due to the scale of the damage to the terminal building. It said that, when the airport reopens, check-in and other facilities will need to be located in temporary buildings, it was confirmed.

The terminal had been handed back to the airport by police on Sunday, following a five-day forensic examination.

Ryanair said passengers booked on flights from Brussels should make their way to Charleroi, arriving at least three hours before their departure time and allowing extra time for security checks.

The airline said its full, usual schedule from Charleroi was also operating.

Other European ports were being used by other airlines, with Brussels Airlines - Zaventem’s largest operator - using Liège and Antwerp for Europe flights, and shifting intercontinental flights to Frankfurt and Zurich.

All British Airways flights at Brussels were cancelled, with the airline saying that would remain the case until at least Monday 4 April. It was offering passengers alternative flights to Liège.

Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium had diverted all of its flights to Liège until at least Friday, with easyJet opting to fly to and from Lille in France.