Infrastructure manager Infrabel has announced that essential track-renewal works near Brussels Airport-Zaventem will require a partial shutdown of the airport rail spur from 8 November to 14 December. The statement, released on 25 October, confirms that five switches, 800 metres of track and supporting concrete slabs will be replaced in the second phase of a project that began in February.
During the five-week window, several InterCity and regional services—including IC Brussels Airport–Namur–Dinant and IC Knokke–Brussels–Liège—will skip the airport station altogether, while others will run on altered timetables. Eurocity trains between Brussels and Rotterdam will also be affected on selected weekends. Infrabel is coordinating with national operator SNCB/NMBS to publish alternative schedules and to increase capacity on bus route 12 and the De Lijn shuttle.
The timing collides with the peak business-travel period around US Thanksgiving and early December trade fairs, prompting relocation firms to warn assignees to budget extra transit time. Companies with commuter passes tied to specific train numbers should review reimbursement policies; Belgian tax authorities allow tax-free reimbursement of ‘necessary additional travel costs’ when public transport is disrupted by authorised works.
The works underline the importance of multi-modal access to Brussels Airport—a critical hub not only for air passengers but also for cargo, diplomatic shuttles and EU-institution travel. Global mobility teams are advised to circulate the revised rail timetables, encourage remote working on high-impact days and, where feasible, book company car-share slots to avoid last-minute taxi shortages.
A third and final phase of the renewal is scheduled for early 2026 and will target the inbound tracks from Leuven, potentially causing further timetable adjustments.
During the five-week window, several InterCity and regional services—including IC Brussels Airport–Namur–Dinant and IC Knokke–Brussels–Liège—will skip the airport station altogether, while others will run on altered timetables. Eurocity trains between Brussels and Rotterdam will also be affected on selected weekends. Infrabel is coordinating with national operator SNCB/NMBS to publish alternative schedules and to increase capacity on bus route 12 and the De Lijn shuttle.
The timing collides with the peak business-travel period around US Thanksgiving and early December trade fairs, prompting relocation firms to warn assignees to budget extra transit time. Companies with commuter passes tied to specific train numbers should review reimbursement policies; Belgian tax authorities allow tax-free reimbursement of ‘necessary additional travel costs’ when public transport is disrupted by authorised works.
The works underline the importance of multi-modal access to Brussels Airport—a critical hub not only for air passengers but also for cargo, diplomatic shuttles and EU-institution travel. Global mobility teams are advised to circulate the revised rail timetables, encourage remote working on high-impact days and, where feasible, book company car-share slots to avoid last-minute taxi shortages.
A third and final phase of the renewal is scheduled for early 2026 and will target the inbound tracks from Leuven, potentially causing further timetable adjustments.
