Brussels attacks: Airport 'ready to partially reopen'

Image copyrightAP

Image captionTest have been carried out at Zaventem under tight security

The Brussels airport hit by deadly bomb attacks says it is ready to partially reopen but flights will not restart until Friday evening at the earliest.

Zaventem airport has been closed since 22 March when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the departure hall.

In a statement, the airport's operators said the departures area would only be operating at 20% of normal capacity.

The attacks on the airport and another suicide bomb on the Brussels Metro killed 32 people and injured hundreds.

So-called Islamic State (IS) has said it was behind the bombings.

Thursday's announcement follows days of tests for a temporary check-in system at Zaventem.

"Brussels Airport Company has received the go-ahead from the fire services and the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority for a partial restart of passenger flights at the airport," the airport's statement said.

"The airport is thus technically ready for a restart of passenger flights in the temporary infrastructure foreseen for check-in.