One of the most striking innovations at Brussels Airport is Connector, a building which links the passenger terminal to Pier A above-ground.
Before Connector passengers had to use a tunnel to go to their gate in Pier A. Many of them considered the tunnel and the fact that they had to change floors using elevators and escalators a nuisance. That is why the
tunnel, which was used by over 10 million passengers every year, was replaced by a spacious surface building.
Connector allows passengers to walk straight from the check-in desk to their gate in pier A. In the opposite direction, the building provides the arriving passenger with a smooth and agreeable passage to the baggage reclaim hall and the exit. The building includes a central platform for access and security screening as well as border control for travellers departing Pier A. Passengers departing from Pier B will use the platfrom as of 2016. This considerably increase the efficiency of the screening process, as the peak hours for security in both piers are complementary. Moreover, the building offers plenty of space for a commercial area.
The challenge was huge: the construction site was located in the centre of a busy international airport, which had to remain fully operational throughout the building works without compromising passenger comfort.
Connector was officially opened on 24 March 2015 in the presence of King Philip, prime minister Charles Michel, minister of transport Jacqueline Galant and some 500 guests.
