Brussels Airlines will build service back to about 30
percent of its European schedule and about 40 percent of its long-haul schedule
over the next few months.
The airline, which suspended flights on March 21, will start
with nine flights returning
on June 15, and it plans to build that to 240 weekly flights by August.
That will include 45 destinations in 20 European countries, with
"important business destinations" such as Berlin, Geneva and London
on the list. Long-haul service will include 13 of 17 destinations that Brussels
serves in Africa as well as Montreal and New York's John F. Kennedy
International Airport.
Enhanced safety and sanitization methods upon the carrier's
return include temperature checks for passengers prior to entering the
terminal, plexiglass screens at check-in and sales desks and enhanced cleaning
protocols. Passengers aged 6 and older will be required to wear face coverings
in the airport and on board, as Brussels Airlines said "social distance on
board cannot be guaranteed." The carrier also is allowing travelers on European
flights to check hand luggage for free to cut down on lines of people waiting
to access overhead bins.