On 17 April, Brussels Airport, together with officials from the neighbouring municipalities and hundreds of spotters, inaugurated the brand new spotting platforms in Zaventem and Steenokkerzeel. Aviation fans, local residents and anyone who’s curious can go there to spot their favourite plane. It is a safe environment that offers visitors a great view of the runways.
Given the modern fleet and wide variety of aircraft types and airlines, Brussels is a favourite place for plane spotters. The Airbus A350, the Boeing B737 Max, Boeing B787 Dreamliner, the five Belgian Icons of Brussels Airlines, and Icelandair’s stunning Hekla Aurora are just a few of the planes that you can spot at the airport.
Spotters are part of our airport community and now have a ringside view, thanks to the new platforms: “We wanted to meet the demand of spotters and our fans for a spotting platform allowing them to take better photos. In cooperation with the neighbouring municipalities of Steenokkerzeel and Zaventem, we were able to set up two spotting platforms rapidly that afford a fine view of the two runways, which can also prove nice and informative for families from the neighbourhood,” says Arnaud Feist, CEO of the Brussels Airport Company.
Construction got under way in the beginning of January 2018 and the platforms were named after the runways they look out on: 01/19 and 07R/25L. One of the platforms is in Zaventem. This location is ideal for visits with children, on account of its proximity to the Vliegbos woods. The second spotting platform is in Steenokkerzeel near the threshold of runway 07R/25L, a very popular vantage point for spotters.
Everyone can now enjoy the airport and its surroundings, thanks to the construction of the platforms. Curious about the new spotting platforms too? Then come and have a look!
Accessibility
The parking facility at the transit centre was expanded, and a small car park was laid out at the head of runway 25L on the Kortenbergsesteenweg. If you want to spot planes from Platform 01/19, you can use the regular parking spaces in the vicinity of the Vliegbos woods. Both platforms are just a 15 to 20 minute walk from Nossegem station.