News / Air & Airports

Brussels Airlines celebrates Toronto-Brussels service

04-25-2016 11:19 am

Christophe Allard, director, North America, Brussels Airlines The biggest airline in Belgium is remaining strong and resilient since the deadly terrorist attacks in Brussels that killed more than 30 people on March 22, 2016.

On April 7, just days after Brussels airport reopened following the attack, Brussels Airlines launched direct flights to Toronto – the only non-stop service connecting Toronto Pearson and Brussels Airport.

“We need to keep on travelling and show the entire world that we are being supportive of one another,” Christophe Allard, director, North America, Brussels Airlines, told PAX at a media event celebrating the new service at Toronto Pearson International Airport’s Terminal One yesterday (April 21).

The new service, which will be operated with an Airbus A330 aircraft, runs five times a week and allows passengers to continue their journey onwards thanks to connections to European capitals, Russia and Tel Aviv and 19 African countries.

“We’ve been working hard around the clock to make it happen. It’s a very strong addition to our North American network,” Allard told PAX at the launch, which featured decorative Brussels Airlines-inspired cakes and a food station serving traditional Belgian fare, such as french fries and waffles topped with whipped cream.

Media also had the opportunity to tour Brussels Airlines’ sleek and spacious Airbus A330, which offers passengers Belgian beers, chocolates, culinary delights prepared by Belgian Michelin-starred chefs (only on flights out of Brussels) and not to mention generous legroom.

Inside Brussels Airlines' Airbus A330 aircraft

The inaugural Toronto-Brussels flight was originally scheduled for March 27, but was postponed due to the Brussels attack, which closed Brussels Airport for more than ten days.

Brussels Airport reopened on April 3 and has gradually been adding more flights to its schedule.

“It is the most secure airport in the world today, I think,” said Raoul Delcorde, the Ambassador of Belgium to Canada, addressing the some 40 attendees at the event. “We are very vigilant and determined to re-establish the normal functioning of the airport.”

Delcorde noted that 15,000 passengers aboard 225 flights are departing from Brussels Airport everyday now, compared to the 350 flights that are normally scheduled. He anticipates the airport will return to full business as usual by May or early June.

“Restaurants, museums and clubs are functioning normally again in Brussels,” Delcorde continued. “The metro is working and reinforced with security. There’s no reason not to go to Brussels, even if one has to be vigilant because of presence of a possible threat.”

Raoul Delcorde, the Ambassador of Belgium to Canada; Christophe Allard, director, North America, Brussels Airlines; Craig Bradbrook, vice-president of aviation services with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Craig Bradbrook, vice-president of aviation services with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, called the new Toronto-Brussels service a “win-win-win” – a “win for Toronto Pearson, a win for Brussels Airlines and a win for our passengers,” Bradbrook said.

The new Toronto-Brussels service leaves Toronto every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at night and arrives the next morning in Brussels at 7:50 a.m. local time. The flight to Toronto leaves Brussels Airport at 10:30 a.m. and arrives at Pearson Airport at 1:20 p.m. local time

In Canada, Brussels Airlines is represented by the sales organization of its partner Lufthansa and passengers are able to book flights through Lufthansa’s partner Air Canada.

For more information, visit brusselsairlines.com.