Brussels Airport has restarted services following the terrorist attacks on 22 March in a reopening ceremony attended by government ministers.

The first flight took off on 3 April at 13.40h, destined for Faro (Portugal), and was given a salute of honour by the emergency services in a ceremony held in the presence of minister of mobility, Jacqueline Galant and minister of defence, Steven Vandeput.

Brussels Airport Company chief executive officer, Arnaud Feist says: “Thanks to this work, your work, we can today spread a message of hope. Today we show our strength, show that we have risen again, that we will not allow ourselves to be beaten.”

“It is the start of a new beginning, even if there is still so much work to be done to return things to a normal situation.”

Brussels Airport chairman of the board of directors, Marc Descheemaecker says: “The attack has struck at the heart of everybody. But it is important to pick up the thread. Brussels Airport is country’s the second largest economic generator.

“The airport not only gives 20,000 people a job, but, thanks to the connectivity with the rest of the world, allow companies in our country to develop and grow.”