Brussels Airlines reports a strong 2025 summer season, having transported over 1.9 million passengers on almost 13,000 flights in July and August, a 12% increase compared to 2024. The addition of more aircraft to the fleet enabled the airline to expand capacity and meet high demand.
Right before summer, Brussels Airlines doubled the capacity of the brag drop area at Brussels Airport in Zaventem. Due to this initiative, the airline could reduce waiting time for passengers checking in and dropping their luggage, despite higher passenger numbers.
More passengers opted for self-service counters after checking in online: over 170,000 bags were checked in via this system. Record day was July 28th, with over 4,000 bags checked in via the bag drop.
Where did Belgians travel to this summer?
Spain remained the top holiday destination, followed by Italy and Portugal. At the same time, demand for cooler destinations is growing.
Top 10 destinations for Belgian travelers in summer 2025:
- Málaga.
- Barcelona.
- Geneva.
- Lisbon.
- Porto.
- Nice.
- Rome.
- Alicante.
- Berlin.
- Copenhagen
The busiest week was between July 21st and 27th, when Brussels Airlines welcomed 235,000 passengers on over 1,500 flights, achieving an 88% load factor. The Tomorrowland festival contributed to this peak.
Punctuality under pressure
On-time performance declined this summer, largely due to factor beyond its control, such as Air Traffic Control (ATC) strikes in France and Italy. In June alone, ATC-related delays in France increased by 115% year-on-year1.
“Overall, we can look back on a very successful summer. First and foremost, I want to thank all our employees who worked hard during these busy months ensuring our passengers could enjoy their holidays. Brussels Airlines is a healthy, growing company, and we are proud of what we have accomplished together. We will debrief thoroughly with our teams to identify areas for even further improvement and continue strengthening the trust our passengers place in us”, Filip Aerts, Chief Operating Officer at Brussels Airlines, says in the press release.
Brussels Airlines news
- Brussels Airlines notes increasing demand for destinations with cooler temperatures, such Evenes (Norway), Edinburgh (Scotland) and Bilbao (Spain).
- Brussels Airlines celebrates twenty years of women in Maintenance and Engineering.
- Brussels Airlines launch customer for new Virtual Reality pilot training within Lufthansa Group: Lufthansa Aviation Training and Airbus developed new software to enhance pilot trainings.
- Brussels Airlines expects strong summer 2025 with boosted capacity.
- Brussels Airlines set to transport 1 million passengers during Easter and spring 2025 holiday season.
- Brussels Airlines enhances long-haul Business Class experience.
- Brussels Airlines unveils ‘Atomium’: the newest Belgian Icon and brings yet another little piece of Belgium in the air.
- Brussels Airlines, Beobank and Mastercard launch credit cards with exclusive benefits.
- Brussels Airlines Celebrates Aviation Heritage: 100 years of connecting with Africa.
- REVIEW | ‘Welkom Aan Boord’ ft. Brussels Airlines shows reality of an airline.
- Brussels Airlines launches ‘A little piece of Belgium in the air’ campaign.
- Brussels Airlines will welcome 3 more A320neo aircraft in the fleet by summer 2026.
- BRUSSELS AIRLINES | Michelin-star Chef Arabelle Meirlaen presents Business Class menu for 2025.
- Brussels Airlines launches most extensive offer ever to Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Brussels Airlines expands in summer 2025: more seats, higher frequencies and over 300 extra jobs.
- Brussels Airlines Training Centre.
- Brussels Airlines switches from AmEx to Mastercard and Beobank to earn Miles & More.
- Brussels Airlines prepares for 2024-2025 winter season, adding more sun to its destinations.
- Brussels Airlines expands its fleet and invests in new cabin interior.
- Brussels Airlines pleased with its punctuality during 2024 summer holiday season.
- Brussels Airlines’ new Belgian Icon livery to be more Belgian than ever: public gets to vote.
- Brussels Airlines wins prestigious wine awards.
- Brussels Airlines is ready for the busy 2024 summer season.
- Brussels Airlines now connects Belgium and Nairobi in Kenya.
- Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and Lufthansa present four ‘Yes to Europe’ aircraft in Brussels.
- World premiere: Brussels Airlines and Tomorrowland present aircraft with augmented reality in new livery.
- Brussels Airlines sees increase of leisure travellers in business class.
- Brussels Airlines’ The Loft wins Europe’s Leading Airline Lounge award for the sixth time in a row.
- Brussels Airlines drops new uniforms and more inclusive style guide.
- Brussels Airlines’ first Airbus A320neo performs its maiden flight to Vienna.
- Brussels Airlines and Tomorrowland party flights to use 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
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