World

Government meets on reopening Brussels airport

Government meets on reopening Brussels airport

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Belgian police and soldiers secure the area outside Zaventem Airport in Brussels, on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. Photo: AP

BRUSSELS: Belgium's prime minister and key members of the government are meeting to discuss when to reopen Brussels Airport after it was targeted by suicide bombers last week. As a meeting of the government Security Council took place Friday, Belgian police unions demanded tighter screening of passengers and baggage before they are allowed into the airport. The unions threatened not to go back to work until the additional security measures they demand are implemented. The airport and a Brussels subway train were targeted by suicide bombers March 22 in an attack that killed 32. Three suicide bombers also died. Airport chief Arnaud Feist told RTBF state broadcasting that temporary repairs now completed will permit the processing of 800 passengers an hour, about 20 percent of the airport's original capacity.