Zaventem airport in Brussels is expected to reopen this evening as emergency repairs are completed.

The airport has been closed since March 22nd when two suicide bombers detonated explosives in the departures hall.

The airport is expected to operate at around 20 per cent of capacity when it reopens.

Some 32 people were killed during the attack, which also saw a suicide bomb detonated on the Brussels Metro.

Hundreds more were injured.

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

“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,” a statement from the airport explained.

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

“However, the authorities have yet to take a formal decision on the restart date.

“Until Friday evening no passenger flights will take place at Brussels Airport.”

The departures area, which was badly damaged during the bombing, can now receive 800 departing passengers per hour, far fewer than normal.

However, the baggage reclaim and arrivals area was only slightly damaged and has since been made ready for use, it added.

“The final step for the restart is the formal political approval,” the airport statement added.

“In the meantime, it has been decided that there will be no passenger flights until Friday evening.”

The airport is expected to fully reopen later in the year.