Belgium‘s Federal Government has approved a new three-year rail transport plan that will see state-owned train operator NMBS / SNCB expand its train services by a further 3% between December 2026 and 2029. One of the most notable changes will be the introduction of additional early-morning trains to Brussels Airport – Zaventem, allowing passengers from Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels to reach the airport by 3:30 (AM) every day of the week.
The new transport plan, approved by the Council of Ministers on Friday, forms part of the public service contract agreed between the Belgian State and NMBS / SNCB for the period 2023–2032. That agreement aims to increase the overall train offer by 10% over the decade.
The previous transport plan, covering 2023 to 2026, already increased services by 5%. Originally, the expansion had been expected to reach 7%, but the target was later revised downwards due to operational and infrastructure constraints.
Earlier airport trains from Bruges, Ghent and Brussels
Among the most significant measures in the new plan is an improved rail connection to Brussels Airport. From December 2027, NMBS / SNCB plans to operate additional early-morning trains from Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels seven days a week.
These services will arrive at Brussels Airport station as early as 3:30 in the morning, providing a rail option for travellers catching the first departures of the day.
At present, the earliest weekday trains from Bruges and Ghent reach the airport only after 5:30, while passengers travelling from Brussels typically arrive around 4:30. Weekend services arrive even later, forcing many early-morning air travellers to rely on cars, taxis or overnight accommodation near the airport.
Three-phase rollout
The transport plan will be introduced gradually in three stages. The first phase will take effect with the December 2026 timetable change, followed by further expansions in December 2027 and December 2028.
From December 2026, additional trains are planned on both weekdays and weekends between a number of Belgian cities. The suburban S-train networks around Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, and Charleroi will also be expanded further.
NMBS / SNCB has not yet published detailed route-by-route information. However, the railway company confirmed that more late-evening trains to and from Brussels will operate on Saturday nights, improving leisure travel options.
Expansion of suburban rail services
The plan also contains several developments linked to the Brussels Regional Express Network (RER/GEN), which aims to improve suburban rail transport around the capital.
A new station, Braine-Alliance (Verbondbrakel in Dutch?), located in the municipality of Braine-l’Alleud (Eigenbrakel), is scheduled to open in December 2026. By 2028, the nearby stations of Moensberg and Linkebeek will be merged into a single station as part of wider infrastructure improvements.
The expansion of suburban services is intended to support growing commuter demand around Belgium’s largest urban areas while encouraging greater use of public transport.
Dependent on infrastructure and rolling stock
Although the government and NMBS / SNCB have approved the planned service increases, the railway operator stressed that implementation remains dependent on several external factors.
The additional services require sufficient capacity on the rail network, which is managed by Infrabel. The expansion programme also depends on the completion of infrastructure projects, the recruitment of additional railway staff and the timely delivery of new trains.
NMBS / SNCB noted that all proposed improvements are considered feasible but remain subject to the availability of rail paths and network capacity, as well as the progress of ongoing investment projects.
Local authorities to receive further details
Later this year, NMBS / SNCB and Infrabel will organise information sessions for cities and municipalities across Belgium. These meetings will provide local authorities with more detailed information about the timetable changes and service improvements planned for their areas.
The railway operator is expected to release further details on specific routes and frequencies as the implementation dates approach. For passengers, however, the new transport plan signals a continued expansion of Belgium’s rail network, with improved airport access and more suburban and intercity services forming the backbone of the next phase of growth.
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