Monday, June 9, 2025

Brussels Airport is proudly celebrating ten years of transformative success with its Airport Operations Centre (APOC), a groundbreaking hub that has revolutionized how airport operations are managed. Designed to bring together all key stakeholders—from airlines and baggage handlers to emergency services and security teams—under one roof, APOC has become the strategic brain of the airport. Over the past decade, it has elevated Brussels Airport’s ability to respond swiftly to operational challenges, enhanced passenger flow for over seventy thousand daily travelers, and introduced advanced technologies like AI-driven forecasting through its Airport Operations Plan. This forward-thinking approach has not only ensured smooth, safe, and efficient airport experiences but also positioned Brussels Airport as a global benchmark for operational excellence and innovation in the aviation sector.

In 2015, Brussels Airport took a bold step toward revolutionizing airport management with the creation of its Airport Operations Centre (APOC)—a centralized coordination hub designed to bring together all critical airport partners under one roof. Ten years later, this forward-thinking concept has not only enhanced the operational flow of one of Europe’s busiest airports but has also set an international benchmark for collaborative airport management.

APOC began as an innovative collaboration between Brussels Airport Company and a handful of its key stakeholders. The objective was clear: to create a single nerve centre that would improve decision-making, communication, and real-time responses among the many actors responsible for airport operations. Over the years, this concept has matured into a sophisticated operational platform, widely recognized for its efficiency, resilience, and technological integration.

Every day, Brussels Airport facilitates the travel of approximately seventy thousand passengers. Ensuring that this volume of people moves through the airport smoothly and safely is a complex task—one that requires a high level of coordination across various entities. Within APOC, nearly 300 staff from a range of disciplines—including airline representatives, baggage handlers, emergency services, customer service agents, and external security providers—work side by side.

Originally located in the Skyhall, the former departure hall of the airport, APOC was relocated in 2018 to the terminal’s heart. This move allowed the operations team to be physically closer to the front lines of airport activity, improving situational awareness and decision-making in real-time. The centre is continuously manned by about fifty core personnel who monitor everything from flight schedules and passenger traffic to baggage logistics and emergency responses.

A significant evolution in APOC’s capabilities came in 2021 with the rollout of the Airport Operations Plan (AOP). This advanced digital platform uses data analytics, artificial intelligence, and predictive modeling to provide early insights into passenger flow, queue lengths, and peak traffic periods. With AOP, APOC can now anticipate potential bottlenecks and initiate preemptive measures to reduce wait times, improve passenger experience, and mitigate risks.

Whether during peak holiday seasons, severe weather events, or unforeseen operational disruptions, APOC allows Brussels Airport to remain agile and responsive. By proactively adjusting resources and processes based on AOP insights, the centre ensures that passengers continue to enjoy a safe and seamless journey, no matter the circumstances.

Brussels Airport’s APOC is now widely regarded as a reference model for international airport coordination. Its success has not only improved operations locally but has also inspired airports across Europe and Asia to adopt similar systems. Through its consulting arm, Airport Intelligence, Brussels Airport has played a direct role in supporting the development or enhancement of APOCs at more than ten international airports over the past three years.

This global influence was solidified in 2024 when Airport Intelligence partnered with Airports Council International (ACI) to co-author Airport Operations Centres: A Guidebook. The guide offers practical recommendations and operational insights drawn directly from the Brussels APOC experience and has become a valuable resource for airports seeking to modernize and streamline their own operations.

To maintain its leadership in smart airport management, Brussels Airport is already preparing for the next chapter in APOC’s journey. Plans are underway for the development of , a next-generation control centre designed to further integrate advanced technology and partner collaboration. This new facility is expected to be operational by 2028 and will offer expanded capabilities in predictive analytics, real-time monitoring, and digital communication.

APOC 360 aims to raise the bar for airport operations by incorporating state-of-the-art infrastructure and more intuitive digital interfaces. It is being developed not just to handle today’s operational complexities but also to address the future demands of global aviation, including sustainability goals, increasing passenger volumes, and digital transformation.

Brussels Airport’s APOC marks a decade of groundbreaking innovation, transforming airport coordination through real-time collaboration and smart technology. Its success sets a new global benchmark for efficiency, safety, and passenger experience.

Brussels Airport’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence is clearly reflected in the evolution of APOC over the past decade. What began as a localized solution has grown into a globally recognized model, proving that strategic coordination and smart technology are key to modern airport success.

With the upcoming APOC 360 project, Brussels Airport is once again demonstrating its vision to lead the industry forward. As airports around the world grapple with increasing complexity and rising traveler expectations, Brussels Airport continues to show what is possible through proactive planning, integrated teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of improvement.