Brussels Airport streetcar works to start at the end of this year

The works for the first phase of the streetcar connection between Brussels Airport and the NATO headquarters in Haren will start at the end of this year. So reports De Werkvennootschap, which is coordinating the project.

It involves the construction of the streetcar and bicycle viaduct over the Brussels Ring in Machelen. The works should be completed in 2031.

4 km extra tramway

The airport tram project is part of Werken aan de Ring (Working on the Ring Road), with which the Flemish government wants to focus more on sustainable mobility and quality of life on and along the northern part of the Brussels Ring Road.

This requires the construction of four kilometers of tramway, providing five additional stops between the NATO headquarters in Haren (Bourget streetcar stop) and Brussels Airport, located in Zaventem.

30 minutes ride

“With the new streetcar line, we are connecting a lot of business zones and residential areas in Machelen and Zaventem with the airport and the Brussels-North train station,” points out Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Annick De Ridder (N-VA).

Indeed, at the Bourget stop, the streetcar, operated by the Brussels public transport company MIVB/STIB, continues on Line 62 toward Brussels North station.

This Airport Tram should allow you to travel smoothly from Brussels North to Brussels Airport in 30 minutes, away from all traffic jams. The route should also reduce cut-through traffic in the region.

“The new Airport Tram will further facilitate the connection between Brussels and the airport for both travelers and employees, offering a smooth and environmentally friendly alternative to the car”, says Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. “The project is fully in line with our strategy to expand public transport to and from the airport and make the transfer between different means of transport even more efficient.”

€240 million

At the same time, 13 kilometers of additional bicycle infrastructure, including a bicycle viaduct over the Brussels Ring in Machelen, one bicycle tunnel, and green area upgrades, are also being worked on. The entire project will cost 240 million euros.