The Foreign Office is warning British travellers: “Stay away from crowded places and avoid public transport at this time. The Belgian Crisis Centre has given the Belgian telephone number 0032 2753 7300 for concerned family/friends.”
The attacks in Brussels have had immediate travel implications. Brussels airport has been closed for the rest of the day - and it is likely to be months before the hub is operating normally.
Other airports in Belgium, notably Charleroi (Brussels South) and Liege, may also be closed.
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Eurostar says no trains are running to or from Brussels Midi adding: “Our thoughts rest with anyone affected by the unfolding events in Brussels.”. Public transport in the Belgian capital has been closed.
Meanwhile, the statements issued by Britain’s two biggest airports in the wake of the Brussels airport attack inadvertently hint at the vulnerability of 21st-century aviation.
Heathrow said: “In the light of events in Brussels airport, we are working with the police at Heathrow who are providing a high-visibility presence.” Gatwick said: “As a result of the terrible incidents in Brussels, there will be increased police and security patrols in and around Gatwick Airport.”
But the feeling within the aviation security community is that these moves comprise little more than theatre designed to make travellers feel safer, while doing little to reduce the risks.
Within months, or possibly weeks, airports across Europe are likely significantly to harden their security - including, crucially, the screening of passengers and their belongings before they are allowed into the check-in area.
At present, huge amounts of resources are poured into prevented aircraft bombings and hijackings. All efforts are focused on sterilising the “airside” area, preventing passengers taking anything on to the aircraft that could threaten its safety. But the “landside” area in all western European airports is open to passengers - or people purporting to be travellers - without any checks.
Cities that have suffered multiple terrorist attacks, such as Istanbul, Nairobi and Bombay, already screen passengers and their baggage before they are allowed into the main terminal building. The problem for European airports - especially crowded and constrained Heathrow and Gatwick - is that very significant remodelling would be needed to allow that to happen.
The addition of yet another layer of security would make the flying experience even more stressful, and diminish the appetite for aviation.
Globally, the effect of the Brussels attacks is likely to lead some prospective tourists from North America or Asia to cancel their travel plans, and cause a slump in inbound tourism to Europe.
*Update*
“We recommend you reconsider your need to travel to Belgium at this time” - that is the new advice from the Australia’s government to its citizens. The fact that a “friendly” Western power is urging its citizens to stay away is one indication of the magnitude of effect of this morning’s attacks. The statement was issued from Canberra four hours after the first bomb exploded at the Belgian capital’s airport.
