Direct flights between Brussels and Tokyo on the way

The Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) will this autumn launch a direct connection between Brussels Airport and the Japanese capital Tokyo, the airline announced today. Flemish minister for tourism Kris Peeters reacted pleased with the news, Belgian media report.

With the new connection, Brussels Airport fills one of the biggest gaps in its network. Prime minister Charles Michel has called the connection between Brussels and Tokyo “excellent news”, providing both Japanese and Belgian businessmen with direct access to both countries. For the prime minister, the decision is a direct result of the mission in Japan, where he and deputy prime minister Peeters recently met with the CEO of ANA.

The prime minister points out that Japanese companies account for more than 25,000 direct jobs in Belgium, and more than 300 Japanese companies invest in Belgium.

There has not been a direct link between Brussels and the Japanese capital since Belgian national airline Sabena went bankrupt in 2001.