Commemorative monument to attacks at Brussels Airport moves to access road following 10th anniversary commemoration ​

The 'Flight in Mind' memorial, which commemorates the Brussels Airport attacks of 22 March 2016, has been relocated alongside the airport access road. The sculpture was moved at the request of the bereaved families to make it more visible and accessible to all.

The bronze sculpture was standing in the departure hall at the time of the attacks and was badly damaged by the explosion, but at the same time offered protection to people in the immediate vicinity. After restoration, the sculpture was placed in the 'Memorial Garden' on the airport grounds in 2017, where it became a place of remembrance for victims and relatives. ​

The relocation coincides with the memorial ceremony on Sunday 22 March, exactly ten years after the attacks. The ceremony started at 7 a.m. in the departure hall at the airport, in the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen, Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist. A large delegation from our country's federal and regional parliaments was also present. Before the start of the ceremony, emergency workers and airport staff formed a human chain as a tribute to the victims and others who were affected. ​ ​ ​

During the commemoration, the King laid flowers along with the representatives of the relief workers who played a crucial role in taking care of the victims in the first moments after the attack. A new plaque was also displayed, listing the names of the 19 people who lost their lives. A minute's silence was held at 7:58 a.m., the exact time of the first explosion at the airport. The ceremony was accompanied by a choir made up of 54 victims of the Brussels attacks.

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About Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport is one of the most important airports in Europe. In 2024, Brussels Airport welcomed 23.6 million passengers and transported 733,000 tonnes of cargo through the airport. Brussels Airport caters for the specific needs of business travellers and holidaymakers alike, on both intra-European and long haul flights. In 2025, the airport offers direct connections between Belgium and 210 destinations worldwide, with flights operated by 80 airlines.   

The airport also offers a leading cargo platform, specialised in the transport of pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, e-commerce and live animals. Brussels Airport is the most important pharmaceutical hub in Europe with the largest area of temperature-controlled warehouses.  

With its SHIFT 2027 strategy, launched in 2022, Brussels Airport Company intends to strengthen its position as a major European hub, accelerate its ambitious sustainability goals, e.g. through the European Green Deal project Stargate, and continue to diversify its activities by focusing on innovation and cooperation.

Brussels Airport is the second most important economic engine in Belgium, good for 64,000 direct and indirect jobs and is owned and operated by Brussels Airport Company. The shareholders are a consortium of private investors (75%) and the Belgian State (25%).

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