First plane takes off from Brussels Airport after attacks

AFP, BRUSSELS: A Brussels Airlines flight to the Portuguese city of Faro became the first plane Sunday to take off from Brussels Airport since its departure hall was wrecked in Islamic State suicide attacks 12 days ago.
In an emotional ceremony at the airport, tearful employees and government officials marked the departure with a minute’s silence and a round of applause, AFP reporters saw.
On the tarmac, fire engines and police vehicles lined up on either side of the aircraft to form a guard of honour for the plane. “We’re back,” said Brussels Airport chief executive Arnaud Feist.
The passengers on board were the first to undergo the airport’s strict new security regime after the coordinated March 22 attacks, which also struck a Brussels metro station and killed 32 people.

 

First plane takes off from Brussels Airport after attacks

AFP, BRUSSELS: A Brussels Airlines flight to the Portuguese city of Faro became the first plane Sunday to take off from Brussels Airport since its departure hall was wrecked in Islamic State suicide attacks 12 days ago. In an emotional ceremony at the airport, tearful employees and government officials marked the departure with a minutes silence and a round of applause, AFP reporters saw. On the tarmac, fire engines and police vehicles lined up on either side of the aircraft to form a guard of honour for the plane. Were back, said Brussels Airport chief executive Arnaud Feist. The passengers on board were the first to undergo the airports strict new security regime after the coordinated March 22 attacks, which also struck a Brussels metro station and killed 32 people.