This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35938172

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Brussels attacks: Airport 'ready to partially reopen' Brussels attacks: Police strike halts Brussels airport reopening
(about 2 hours later)
The Brussels airport hit by deadly bomb attacks says it is ready to partially reopen but flights will not restart until Friday evening at the earliest. Plans to partially reopen Brussels airport on Friday evening have been halted amid a strike by airport police over security concerns.
Zaventem airport has been closed since 22 March when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the departure hall. The Zaventem facility has been closed since a twin suicide bomb attack on the departures hall on 22 March.
In a statement, the airport's operators said the departures area would only be operating at 20% of normal capacity. The SLFP police union told the BBC that security measures put in place for the reopening were insufficient.
The attacks on the airport and another suicide bomb on the Brussels Metro killed 32 people and injured hundreds. So-called Islamic State (IS) said it carried out bombings of the airport and metro system that killed 32 people.
So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind the bombings. Vincent Gilles, the president of the SLFP, the largest police union in Belgium, said: "We are on strike because of what happened on 22 March - we cannot continue as if this day has not happened.
Thursday's announcement follows days of tests for a temporary check-in system at Zaventem. "The police feel the security measures put in place by the airport company are insufficient for those who work and use the airport."
"Brussels Airport Company has received the go-ahead from the fire services and the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority for a partial restart of passenger flights at the airport," the airport's statement said. He called for more controlled access to the departures hall, including the use of metal detectors, body scanners and x-ray machines for luggage.
"The airport is thus technically ready for a restart of passenger flights in the temporary infrastructure foreseen for check-in. "We also need to check if all the people and luggage that pass through the area are in fact flying to further destinations," he said.
"However, the authorities have yet to take a formal decision on the restart date. Until Friday evening no passenger flights will take place at Brussels Airport." In an earlier statement, the airport's operators had said a partial reopening would be possible on Friday evening, after a temporary check-in system had been tested and made ready.
It said the temporary system could receive 800 departing passengers per hour, far fewer than normal. However, it said the departures area, which was severely damaged by the bomb attacks, would only operate at 20% of normal capacity, receiving only 800 departing passengers per hour.
However, the baggage reclaim and arrivals area was only slightly damaged and has since been made ready for use, it added. The operator said on Friday this could not now go ahead because of the strike.
"The final step for the restart is the formal political approval. In the meantime, it has been decided that there will be no passenger flights until Friday evening." Belgian media said the government was still considering the possibility of a reopening.
Chief executive Arnaud Feist said earlier this week that the airport would take months to reopen fully. Defence Minister Steven Vandeput said: "We must find a balance between economic needs and security needs."
Meanwhile, Brussels airport police have said they criticised security well ahead of the attacks. Criminal backgrounds
In an open letter to authorities published by Belgian broadcaster VRT (in Dutch), police said they had sent "strong daily signals regarding the overall security at the airport". The airport operator's chief executive, Arnaud Feist, said earlier this week that the airport would take months to reopen fully.
They complained "there had not been any security control of passengers or luggage from the airport complex right up to the centralised body searches" area. In an earlier open letter to authorities published by Belgian broadcaster VRT (in Dutch), police had said they had sent "strong daily signals regarding the overall security at the airport".
They also alleged that too many airport employees had criminal backgrounds.They also alleged that too many airport employees had criminal backgrounds.
Police are still searching for the third man who took part in the airport attacks. The man, pictured on CCTV wearing a hat, was said to have fled the scene without detonating his explosive device.Police are still searching for the third man who took part in the airport attacks. The man, pictured on CCTV wearing a hat, was said to have fled the scene without detonating his explosive device.
The two airport bombers who died have been named as Najim Laachraoui and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui.The two airport bombers who died have been named as Najim Laachraoui and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui.
Bakraoui's brother, Khalid el-Bakraoui, blew himself up at Maelbeek metro station.Bakraoui's brother, Khalid el-Bakraoui, blew himself up at Maelbeek metro station.
Police later found a computer in which Ibrahim el-Bakraoui left a final message.Police later found a computer in which Ibrahim el-Bakraoui left a final message.
The BBC has learned that the same computer contained plans and photos of Prime Minister Charles Michel's office and home.The BBC has learned that the same computer contained plans and photos of Prime Minister Charles Michel's office and home.