Long queues at passport control at Brussels Airport remain unresolved after discussions between federal and Flemish authorities failed to produce an agreement. The dispute centres on who is responsible for improving border control infrastructure and staffing at the airport, where passengers have repeatedly faced long waiting times, particularly non-EU citizens following the implementation of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Interior minister Bernard Quintin (MR) argued that the current facilities were inadequate. “There are only six booths, with room for a maximum of 12 officers,” he
told De Standaard. Quintin said expanding the infrastructure falls under the responsibility of Brussels Airport Company. “Adjusting the infrastructure is the responsibility of the operator,” he said. “I don’t have to tell them what to put their money into, but I note that they were able to invest in a new car parking tower,” hinting that the Brussels Airport Company may have the money for investments. The comments prompted a response from Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele, who said infrastructure alone would not solve the
problem if there were not enough officers available. “Building more booths if they are not staffed is, of course, pointless,” Diependaele told VRT. “There is a willingness to build something if there is also a guarantee that police officers will actually be deployed. Otherwise, there is little point in building anything. We still need to sit down and discuss this.” The issue has become increasingly political since Flanders became the airport’s largest shareholder, investing €2.7 billion in the airport last year. Together with the federal
government’s shares, public authorities now hold a majority stake in Brussels Airport Company. Diependaele has repeatedly called on the federal government to provide additional aviation police officers. Quintin, meanwhile, said 60 new aviation police recruits had already begun training, although they will not be fully operational before the end of the summer. Until then, passengers travelling through Brussels Airport may continue to face significant delays at border control during busy periods.
Brussels Airport, passport control queues, Bernard Quintin, Matthias Diependaele, border control, EES, aviation police, Belgium federal, Flanders