Upgrading and reconversion of Brucargo increases efficiency for entire logistics chain

The Belgian economy is an open economy, which is heavily focused on exports. This requires highly efficient logistics. Air cargo transport plays a central role in this. 

Especially for high-quality and temperature-sensitive goods that need to be transported quickly. Key industries in our country, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, biotech, e-commerce and perishables rely on a fast, top-quality airport to ship or to receive their products.

Shipping pharmaceutical products to the other side of the world must often be done quickly. At the same time, most products have to remain at temperature and for this, close cooperation between the various links in the logistics chain is essential. This quality guarantee - that this can be done at Brussels Airport - is crucial for us.

Eddy Weygaerts, Senior Manager Logistics Delivery, Pfizer

To make the logistics chain at the airport even more efficient and to accommodate future growth, Brussels Airport intends to upgrade its cargo area Brucargo and replace the old buildings with modern, energy efficient infrastructure.

Brucargo hub building

At the entrance to Brucargo there will be a new building in which all non-cargo-related activities come together, such as service providers, car parks and a supermarket.

Here, passengers will in future also be able to check in their luggage and from there take the free airport shuttle to the terminal. Airport staff will also benefit from this free bus service. 

In the offer there will also be a petrol station that passengers, cargo companies and their employees can use, as well as people from the vicinity. The petrol station must offer existing fuels and alternative sources of energy such as CNG or LNG, electricity or hydrogen.

Reorganisation of the roads

The organisation of the cargo area follows the grid principle of parallel, straight roads along which different types of buildings can be accommodated, such as (cold storage) warehouses, offices, buildings for handling agents, aircraft hangars, etc. The available space will be optimally used and the traffic flows will remain smooth.

The construction of the buildings will take account of the environment. Thus, the buildings adjacent to the tarmac will be as close to one another as possible, so as to form a wall against ground noise. This zone will accommodate all the companies that transport, package and store freight. 

In the second line, there will be parallel streets perpendicular to the first line. This will ensure easy road access for trucks. These streets will be able to accommodate logistics companies or warehouses for goods with a longer storage period. 

For airlines with express delivery services there is a separate area which can be developed according to future needs.

‘Greening’ the area

Green landscape elements will be integrated when reorganising the cargo area. In particular, there will be pedestrian and cycle paths in a green strip of trees and verges, little parks and street gardens.

The Brucargo freight area brings together different players in the logistics chain. A reorganisation of the area will increase efficiency and improve cooperation. In this way, Brussels Airport can offer quality service to its customers and at the same time create a pleasant environment for the thousands of people working at Brucargo.

View the interactive 2D maps to see how Brussels Airport Company’s Strategic Vision translates itself tangibly into a phased adaptation of the infrastructure.