Brussels Airport aims to double number of passengers by 2040

Brussels Airport has set an amibitious new target to double the number of passengers it serves by 2040.

The airport at Zaventem currently serves approximately 21.8 million passengers a year. In 20 years' time, that could reach 45 million.

The plan, called Strategic Vision 2040, is a "long-term development plan for the airport itself and for Belgium as a whole", the airport said.

The expansion could bring an estimated 120,000 new jobs to Brussels over the time of the expansion.

The overall vision was based on global trends in travel and aviation, and the assumption that by 2040 the world population will be nearly nine billion.

In order to accommodate more passengers, the airport would need to expand by investing in two additional piers.

The airport will also rearrange terminals and reorganise facilities. More details can be seen in these interactive 2D maps.

Brussels Airport will also create Forum 2040, a series of town hall meetings which will allow residents near the airport to speak with airport officials about any questions or concerns they may have about how the expansion will affect them.