4.2% passenger growth in February for Brussels Airlines

In February, Brussels Airlines registered again a passenger increase. In total 545,869 passengers flew on a Brussels Airlines flight to or from Brussels Airport. This is an increase of 4.2% compared to February 2016.

Compared to last year the number of customers on European flights increased by 3%. 4.5% more passengers flew between Brussels Airport and Africa and the North American flights attracted 28.8% more passengers. The North American growth is partly due to the new destination Toronto that was launched in April last year.

Last year, February had 29 instead of 28 days, so the 4.2% passenger growth is significant.The passenger numbers grew faster than the seat offer, resulting in a seat load factor increase of 2 percentage points (72.8%).

The transported freight volume also evolved positively, resulting in a cargo load factor growth of 6.7 percentage points. The growth was mainly registered on the New York and Toronto routes.

In addition to its scheduled flight activity, Brussels Airlines operates many holiday and group flights for tour operators. Passenger figures for this activity are not included in the figures of this press release.

 

 

Month

Month

 difference in %

February 2017

February 2016

Flights

5,640

5,691

-0.9 %

Total Passengers

545,869

524,052

4.2 %

-- Passengers Europe

450,166

436,914

3.0 %

-- Passengers Africa

71,350

68,291

4.5 %

-- Passengers North America

12,194

9,465

28.8 %

-- Passengers Middle East

12,159

9,382

29.6 %

Available seat-kilometers  (ASK)

1,173,963,909

1,117,425,437

5.1 %

Revenue Passenger-Kilometers  (RPK)

854,706,455

797,890,847

7.1 %

Passenger Load Factor (%)

72.8%

71.4%

2.0 pt

Available Ton-Kilometers (ATK)   

138,685

132,215

4.9 %

Revenue Ton-Kilometers  (RTK)

100,203

91,946

9.0 %

Cargo Load Factor (%)

74.6%

67.9%

6.7 pt

Figures based on preliminary figures currently available

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About Brussels Airlines

About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is Belgium's home carrier and one of the network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. From its hub at Brussels Airport, the airline connects Belgium and Europe with more than 90 destinations worldwide, including 18 destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Belgian airline employs more than 3,500 people and operates a fleet of 46 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and works together with Lufthansa Group on a range of initiatives. The airline participates in the Stargate project led by Brussels Airport, signed the Circular Economy agreement of Antwerp Management School, and was the first airline to - early 2023 - transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS pipeline to Brussels Airport. Between November 2023 and June 2026, Brussels Airlines has welcomed eight brand-new Airbus A320neo aircraft, significantly reducing fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and noise levels across its European network.

As an ambassador for its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world. The airline showcases Belgian culture through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, the promotion of Belgian products on board, and its Belgian Icons aircraft, which celebrate unique elements of Belgium's culture and heritage.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers almost 18,000 daily flights to over 1,160 airports in more than 190 countries.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com
More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Kompaslaan 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com