Today is the National Holiday of Belgium. On 21 July 1831, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha took the constitutional oath to become King of the Belgians.
Tag: Middle East
Brussels Airport closes first half of 2026 with 3.6% passenger growth despite Middle East / Strait of Hormuz conflict
Brussels Airport welcomed almost 11.7 million passengers during the first six months of 2026, despite industrial action and disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. The airport also reported strong growth in cargo traffic, underlining its role as one of Europe‘s leading freight hubs.
Lorenza Maggio to succeed Dorothea von Boxberg as Brussels Airlines CEO
Lorenza Maggio has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Brussels Airlines, pending approval by the Board of Directors of SN Airholding. She will succeed Dorothea von Boxberg, who is leaving the airline at her own request on 31 August 2026.
France welcomes 102 million visitors and earns €77.5 billion from tourism in record-breaking 2025
I turned 45 in June. I have this tradition – when possible – of not being in Belgium for my birthday. From Sweden in 2013 to the Châteaux of the Loire Valley in 2014, Lake Orta in 2015, Rome in 2016, London in 2018, North Carolina and Virginia in 2019, England in 2022, and Rotterdam…
COLORADO | Boulder ft. Chautauqua Trail, Boulder-Dushanbe Teahouse and Pearl Street Mall
September 2025. After Oscar came to London in June 2024 and I joined him there for a day, I’m now going to his hometown of Denver in Colorado. My second trip to the United States in 2025, after visiting my uncle and aunt in Wilmington, North Carolina. No, Denver is is not on foreign tourists’…
European airport passenger traffic dips for first time since COVID recovery as disruptions mount
For the first time since Europe’s air travel rebound began in April 2021, passenger traffic at European airports fell by 0.7% in April compared to last year, according to Airport Council International Europe (ACI Europe)’s latest report. The decline, though small, underscores growing challenges for travellers, from geopolitical tensions to industrial action and border control…
Lufthansa Group confident in summer fuel supply
The Lufthansa Group has moved to reassure travellers ahead of the summer season, stating that jet fuel supply is stable across its network. Dieter Vranckx, chief commercial officer, confirmed that the group’s six European hubs – Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome – as well as its global operations, face no immediate risk of…
Brussels Airlines has fuel for at least next 4 to 6 weeks
Brussels Airlines has received assurances from its fuel suppliers that kerosene deliveries are secured for the next four to six weeks, CEO Dorothea von Boxberg announced on Wednesday. The airline has hedged 80% of its kerosene, locking in prices and shielding itself from recent price spikes. This strategy provides a competitive edge, particularly over United…
2026 | Security and geopolitical tensions reshape Belgians’ holiday plans
Security concerns and geopolitical tensions are increasingly influencing Belgians’ choices of holiday destinations, according to the 25th Holiday Barometer by travel insurer Europ Assistance. Despite these worries, the willingness to travel abroad remains strong.
Antwerp Hotel Association laments disappointing 2026 Easter Holiday
Antwerp’s hotels experienced a less successful Easter Holiday than hoped, according to the Antwerp Hotel Association. While rooms were well occupied during the Tour of Flanders weekend, a poor second week dragged the average down.
