Fietsersbond: About half of cyclists during the morning rush hour are young people

June 04, 2026

46% of cyclists during the morning rush hour in Flanders and Brussels are children or teenagers who ride independently. This is according to a survey by the Fietsersbond or Cycling Union. In addition to this 46%, 6% of children were being transported on an adult’s bicycle. These were mainly cargo bikes (43%), longtails (25%), or […]

NMBS/SNCB covered 3 million fewer kilometers in 2025

June 04, 2026

The service offered by the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB decreased by 3,9% last year compared to the previous year. Last year, all NMBS/SNCB trains together covered 79,2 million train-kilometers, compared to 82,4 million in 2024 – a decrease of 3,2 million train-kilometers. Nevertheless, the railway company aims to increase its service by 10% over […]

Avello: ‘Cycling infrastructure hinders safe commuting’

June 03, 2026

Wallonia and Brussels lag behind Flanders in bicycle commuting to work. Of course, the terrain and the capital’s busy urban environment play a role in this. But according to Avello, an advocacy group for cyclists in Walloon and Brussels municipalities, Wallonia and Brussels are also structurally the least bicycle-friendly regions, and it is precisely the […]

From summer 2027, using a warning triangle will no longer be mandatory in Belgium

June 03, 2026

Turning on your hazard lights instead of placing the warning triangle will become the new primary warning method for drivers whose vehicles break down on Belgian roads. The new rule takes effect on June 1, 2027. It is being introduced because placing a warning triangle along busy roads is no longer considered safe. After all, […]

New record for traffic violations in Belgium

June 02, 2026

Last year, the federal police recorded 10,1 million traffic violations in Belgium, a new record. Approximately 83% of all recorded traffic violations were speeding offenses. However, the majority of these are minor violations, involving speeds of 0-10 kph over the limit. This trend is largely attributable to the fact that traffic enforcement in Belgium is […]

All foreign license plates are once again being ticketed in Brussels

June 02, 2026

For years, parking fines for vehicles with foreign license plates were not always collected in Brussels. That situation is now coming to an end thanks to the introduction of a new international collection system. Parking.brussels is engaging a specialized collection agency to address these violations. Of the total number of parking tickets issued in Brussels, […]

NMBS/SNCB reports 10% increase in passengers due to high fuel prices

June 01, 2026

People are choosing to take the train more often because of high fuel prices. This is according to a survey of train passengers conducted by the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB. NMBS/SNCB is also seeing this growth in passengers’ numbers reflected in the figures: in March and April, the railway company sold 10% more single […]

New train connection: Ghent/Antwerp to Paris and Amsterdam by GoVolta

May 29, 2026

The Dutch railway company GoVolta will launch a daily train service between Amsterdam and Paris on December 14, with stops at Antwerp Central and Ghent-Sint-Pieters. For Ghent, this marks the return of a direct train connection to Paris since the discontinuation of the Thalys service in 2015. GoVolta promises fares starting at €10 for train […]

Lommel and Pelt to serve as test case for autonomous vehicles

May 28, 2026

Starting in June, the Belgian Limburg municipalities of Lommel and Pelt will become a rest region for smart and autonomous vehicles. Lommel Mayor Bob Nijs (CD&V) and his Pelt counterpart, Dennis Fransen (CD&V), have signed a letter of commitment to that effect. Initially, the test drives will take place at Ford’s test site in Lommel, […]

Europ Assistance is rebranding as Redion

May 28, 2026

Europ Assistance, the creator of the travel assistance insurance concept as we know it today, is changing its name. The company will henceforth be known as Redion. The new brand name encompasses the global Care platform of the Generali insurance group, which brings together the activities of Europ Assistance and Generali Employee Benefits (GEB) under […]

NMBS/SNCB backtracks: access gates in stations to be re-examined (update)

May 27, 2026

The Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB will continue to investigate whether access gates can be installed in stations to increase safety. A pilot project may be launched in several stations. This is a striking reversal for NMBS/SNCB, as the idea had previously been rejected. The possibility of installing access gates in the country’s major train […]

Deutsche Bahn aims to boost regional train punctuality back to over 90%

May 26, 2026

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn aims to restore punctuality in regional services to above 90%, although it has not set a specific timeline for achieving this target. Historically, regional trains from Deutsche Bahn, or DB Regio, did perform well, with punctuality consistently above 90%. But the German rail operator’s aging, worn-out network is undergoing simultaneous […]

Body cams coming soon to Belgian public transportation

May 26, 2026

Both train conductors and drivers at De Lijn, MIVB/STIB, and LETEC will soon be allowed to wear body cams. This was decided by the Federal Council of Ministers. The draft legislation must still be approved by the Council of State and then by Parliament before it can take effect. With this measure, the government hopes […]

Vooruit gets support: House votes for free bikes on trains

May 25, 2026

The resolution by the socialist political party Vooruit to allow bicycles on trains free of charge has been unanimously approved by the Parliamentary Committee on Mobility. The resolution also calls on the government to work toward a single combined ticket for all public transport. Currently, passengers who want to bring their bikes on trains pay […]

“Mission: Safe to School”: The game that guides you safely to school

May 25, 2026

At the initiative of DVV Verzekeringen, the Vias Institute has developed “Mission: Safe to School,” an educational video game in which children virtually practice their route to school before taking it in real life. The free game, which is primarily aimed at elementary school children in grades 4 through 6, will be available to all […]

Air Congo to compete with Brussels Airlines on the Kinshasa-Brussels route

May 21, 2026

Air Congo will begin operating flights from Brussels Airport in early July. This will also bring an end to Brussels Airlines’ more than 15-year monopoly on the Brussels-Kinshasa route. The news was reported by flightlevel.be and has also been confirmed by the Federal Public Service Mobility. Air Congo intends to operate five flights per week […]

Öko-Institut: Nearly half of Belgians never use public transportation

May 20, 2026

Nearly half of Belgians never use public transportation. This is according to a study on public transportation in Europe conducted by the German research institute Öko and commissioned by Greenpeace. Long travel times deter Belgians, and another weakness of public transportation is the significant disparity in availability between urban and rural areas. Belgians are not […]

ZAS Hospital Group calls for ban on nighttime rides on shared e-scooters

May 19, 2026

The Antwerp-based ZAS Hospital Group is advocating a ban on shared e-scooters between midnight and 8 a.m., according to Gazet van Antwerpen. With this proposal, emergency services aim to halt the rise in accidents involving this mode of transportation. However well-intentioned it may be – and understandable given the frustration of emergency room doctors who […]

Will there soon be a single ticket for train travel in Europe?

May 18, 2026

If the European Commission has its way, there will be a single ticket for anyone wishing to travel by train across Europe. The measure, described as “a game-changer for rail travel” by European Commissioner for Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, is intended to make cross-border travel on the continent easier. For international train travel, passengers […]

Lufthansa acquires 90% stake in ITA

May 15, 2026

Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline group, will exercise its option to increase its stake in the Italian airline ITA Airways from 41% to 90%. The German airline group will pay 325 million euros for the second tranche. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. In 2028, Lufthansa will be able […]

Lowest jet fuel stocks in years put pressure on aviation

May 13, 2026

The war in Iran is disrupting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. This is not only driving up pump prices but also pushing up jet fuel prices. What’s more, analysts say there is a real risk of a physical shortage of jet fuel in the future. Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines, among others, are downplaying […]

Cargo Velo pedals ahead with Antwerp rival Fietskoerier acquisition

May 12, 2026

Bike courier company Cargo Velo is acquiring its Antwerp-based competitor, De Fietskoerier. Together, they will form Belgium’s largest bike courier company, with around 50 couriers and an expected turnover of more than one million euros. Former politician Willem-Frederik Schiltz, who once led the Open Vld party in Antwerp, has been the CEO of Cargo Velo […]

American LanzaTech to build first SAF plant for Europe in Ghent

May 12, 2026

American company LanzaTech has chosen North Sea Port in Ghent as the site for its first European plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using alcohol-to-jet technology. The project involves an investment of 500 million euros. The plant is expected to create 50 permanent jobs, in addition to approximately 300 jobs during the three-year construction […]

Sustainable city trips are getting wind in their sails

May 11, 2026

Sustainable travel in Europe is no longer a niche market; it’s a movement, just like slow travel. Not only are airfare and driving costs rising due to the crisis in the Middle East, but many people with vacation plans are looking for alternatives. In addition to a train trip or an active cycling or hiking […]

Strong passenger demand limits losses at Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines

May 08, 2026

Despite a substantial operating loss (EBIT) of 612 million euros for the first three months of the year, the Lufthansa Group has little cause for concern.  Due to seasonally weaker demand in Europe, the first quarter is structurally loss-making for Europe’s largest airline group, the parent of Brussels Airlines. What’s more, the loss is 15% […]

Alcohol in the morning at airports? Ryanair wants a ban

May 07, 2026

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary wants to ban alcohol in airports in the morning, before regular restaurant and bar opening hours. The Irish low-cost airline reportedly has to divert a flight almost daily due to the behavior of some passengers. In addition to the morning ban on alcohol before 10 a.m., he also advocates limiting each […]

Commuting becomes a puzzle: Antwerp metro tunnel closed for an extended period

May 06, 2026

Since Saturday, Antwerp’s main metro tunnel, connecting the Left Bank and the city center, has been completely closed for a large-scale renovation. If all goes well, the renovation will take approximately 11 months, expected to be completed by the end of March 2027. To avoid a traffic gridlock, the transport companies De Lijn and NMBS/SNCB, […]

Brussels Airport causes sleep disturbances for over 104,000 residents

May 06, 2026

A total of 104,298 people living in the wider vicinity of Brussels Airport have their sleep severely disrupted by aircraft taking off and landing. This is according to the annual, mandatory study on the airport’s noise impact conducted by the Dutch firm To70. That represents a 2,5% increase compared to 2024. And whether by coincidence […]

Historic turnaround: Belgium plans to nationalize old nuclear power plants

May 05, 2026

The Belgian government wants to regain full control over energy policy and has secured a purchase option on Engie’s Belgian nuclear operations. Although the decision, a historic shift following the nuclear phase-out under the Verhofstadt 1 government, is generally welcomed, criticism is also growing. The costs remain a major question mark – even Prime Minister […]

Cuts to De Lijn’s school transportation service on the horizon

May 01, 2026

As costs rise and the budget remains unchanged, potential adjustments are on the horizon for De Lijn’s school transportation service for special education – most of these trips are operated by subcontractors. The Flemish public transportation company announced this in a letter to the schools. In the letter, De Lijn states that the Flemish government […]

Free bikes on Belgian trains? A popular idea facing hard realities

April 29, 2026

The Belgian Chamber’s Mobility Committee has unanimously approved a resolution by Vooruit to allow free bike use on trains. Whether this will ever actually happen, however, remains to be seen. A resolution is not legally binding. For the resolution to take effect, the government would need to amend the management contract with NMBS/SNCB. In an […]

12 Million passengers for Liège tram, but 17% ride without paying

April 28, 2026

After one year of tram service in Liège, operator LETEC. can report positive figures. This is evident from the official final balance sheet, which La Dernière Heure, RTBF, and others reviewed. A total of 12 million riders used the tram, or about 1 million per month. The satisfaction rate stood at 77% in the fall […]

Alcohol and drugs remain a persistent problem for De Lijn drivers

April 28, 2026

Last year, 68 drivers at the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn were caught using alcohol or drugs. This marks another increase compared to previous years, when 62 and 57 drivers were caught during preventive checks, respectively. According to Flemish Member of Parliament and CD&V faction leader Peter Van Rompuy, who requested the figures, the […]

Uproar over De Lijn cost cuts

April 27, 2026

It has long been known that the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn is in cost-cutting mode – the Flemish government imposed a 44 million-euro cost-cutting measure on De Lijn, specifically on the 15 transportation regions. De Lijn has now announced that on July 1 it will implement changes to approximately one in three lines […]

Bolt is rolling out 1,200 new e-scooters with built-in screens and navigation in Brussels

April 23, 2026

The Estonian multinational mobility company Bolt is introducing 1,200 new e-scooters in Brussels. The Bolt 7 features a built-in screen with navigation guidance, and three AI applications will also help address inappropriate riding behavior. Eventually, the entire Bolt fleet of 4,000 shared e-scooters in Brussels will be replace. “We’re not just renewing our fleet; we’re […]

New Terminal 3 at Frankfurt Airport officially opened

April 23, 2026

Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest, has opened a new, third terminal. The first flight from the new terminal is expected today. Terminal 3 will be able to handle up to 19 million passengers per year. The terminal features three new piers totaling 1,400 meters in length, at least 33 aircraft parking positions, 112 check-in counters, and […]

BlaBlaCar is shutting down its bus division in France

April 22, 2026

By the end of 2026, BlaBlaCar will cease its operations as a bus carrier in France. This will result in the loss of 40 jobs of the company’s total workforce of 800 employees. BlaBlaCar, which also serves various destinations in Belgium, will, however, continue to sell bus tickets for independent bus companies. Highly competitive market […]

NMBS/SNCB launches boarding zones on platforms

April 22, 2026

The Belgian national railway company NMBS/SNCB is introducing new boarding zones on platforms to make boarding easier for passengers. The boarding zones have been launched at the stations in Halle, Brussels Airport-Zaventem, and Brussels Central. However, the plan is to expand the initiative to other stations soon. Using the NMBS/SNCB app, passengers can also see […]

Belgium introduces safety label for e-scooters

April 21, 2026

Belgium has finalized an action plan to remove dangerous e-scooters from the market more quickly and prevent them from entering the market in the first place. As part of this effort, 75,000 euros will be allocated this year for technical testing, and a safety label for e-scooters will be introduced in January. With this action […]

CAE pilot training center in Brussels faces closure

April 21, 2026

Canadian aviation training provider CAE plans to close its training center at Brussels Airport by the end of this year. This is reported by the business newspaper De Tijd. Due to declining demand, outdated simulators, and structural losses, 22 of the 27 jobs are at risk. CAE Brussels is the direct successor to the historic […]

Alstom plummets almost 30% on the stock market after withdrawing targets

April 20, 2026

Because several major rolling stock projects are progressing more slowly than expected, French train manufacturer Alstom has withdrawn its financial targets. Investors reacted negatively to the poor results and punished Alstom severely: on Friday, the stock took a heavy hit, falling by as much as 27,15%. Profound operational changes on the horizon Last week, Alstom […]

‘Three out of four Walloon drivers occasionally flout parking rules’

April 16, 2026

Nearly three out of four Walloon drivers (72%) admit that they sometimes park their vehicles in a way that causes an obstruction. This is according to a study by the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR). The most common situations involve parking too close to a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, or double-parking. The AWSR points out […]

De Lijn celebrates its 1,000th e-bus

April 16, 2026

The 1,000th electric bus is entering service in Flanders’ public transport system. “A milestone in the transition to greener transport,” is how it’s described. Of those 1,000 e-buses, more than 700 are operated by private bus companies contracted by De Lijn. De Lijn itself currently has nearly 300 e-buses on the road. However, the public […]

Another strike casts shadow over Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary

April 15, 2026

Just on the day Lufthansa is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its first flight, an event Chancellor Merz is set to attend, the airline is once again hit by a strike – the fifth major strike at Lufthansa this year. After hundreds of flights were canceled due to a pilots’ strike on Monday and Tuesday, […]

Phew! Zaventem’s Tesla police car hits the road after six years

April 15, 2026

Anyone driving around Zaventem or Brussels Airport these days had better watch out, because from now on, you might spot the now-infamous Tesla police car from the local police zone appearing in your rearview mirror. Or how, after more than six years of inactivity, the car can finally be put into service – a textbook […]

Brussels Airport Ombudsman Philippe Touwaide fired

April 14, 2026

What had been in the works for a while has now become official: Brussels Airport Ombudsman Philippe Touwaide has been fired. Touwaide had come under fire for his lack of neutrality and his personal conduct toward the airport’s top management. The dismissal comes as no surprise. The Federal Public Service Mobility has recommended Touwaide’s dismissal […]

Engie to install 3,300 additional charging points in Wallonia

April 13, 2026

Electric Mobility Infrastructure, a subsidiary of the French company Engie, has won the contract to install 1,650 charging stations in Walloon municipalities. Since each charging station has two charging points, this totals 3,300 charging points, representing an increase of nearly 44% over the current charging infrastructure in the southern part of the country. Catch-up effort […]

People on rail tracks cause 4.5 hours of delays per day in Belgium

April 10, 2026

Last year, there were 583 reports of people walking on or along the railway tracks in Belgium. According to the rail infrastructure manager Infrabel, these individuals were responsible for 4.5 hours of delays per day. Track intruders cause significant delays, particularly during the evening rush hour and on the busy north-south line in Brussels. Infrabel […]

IATA-boss warns rise in airfare prices is still inevitable

April 09, 2026

Higher airfare prices are inevitable. That’s what Willie Walsh, CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said at a meeting in Singapore. Even after a cease-fire in Iran. According to Walsh, the aviation industry will likely continue to face disruptions in jet fuel supply for months to come, even if Iran does reopen the […]

De Lijn tests smart ‘extra eyes’ for tram drivers in Ghent”

April 08, 2026

Following a successful pilot project in Antwerp, De Lijn will also test an advanced driver assistance system for trams in Ghent. The system acts as a digital co-pilot, assisting tram drivers in complex urban traffic situations by helping them identify risks more quickly and prevent collisions. Last year, the driver assistance system project, part of the […]

Three-quarters of former Van Hool employees are already back at work

April 08, 2026

Two years after the bankruptcy of bus manufacturer Van Hool, three out of four employees are back at work. This is according to figures released by Flemish Minister of Employment Zuhal Demir. According to the N-VA minister, the figures show that targeted guidance, outplacement, and training through VDAB, a Flemish government agency that matches labor […]

Brussels LEZ: new fines starting June 7

April 07, 2026

Is the Brussels saga surrounding the Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) finally coming to an end? The Brussels government has finally set a schedule for the new LEZ fines system. If the technical obstacles are resolved, the imposition of LEZ fines should begin on June 7. Euro 5 diesel vehicles and Euro 2 gasoline vehicles, which in […]

TAP sale heats up: Air France-KLM vs Lufthansa, with IAG dropping out

April 06, 2026

Both Air France-KLM and Lufthansa have submitted bids to Parpublica, the Portuguese state holding company, for a minority stake in TAP Air Portugal. The Portuguese government intends to sell up to 49,9% of the shares, with a 5% tranche reserved for employees. The state formally retains control but has indicated its intention to sell the […]

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