686,299 passengers flew with Brussels Airlines in March

 Last month 686,299 passengers flew with Brussels Airlines. The seat load factor of the flights amounted to an average of 74.8%. The number of passengers grew by 51.4 percent, but this spectacular growth is largely due to the fact that the flight programme of Brussels Airlines in March 2016 was scaled down in the aftermath of the Brussels attacks of March 22nd. 

Of all 686,299 passengers who travelled with Brussels Airlines during the month of March, 527,905 of them chose a European flight. 113,394 passengers flew to or from Africa, North-America, Israel or India.

It is hard to compare the figures of March 2017 to the same month last year. On the 22nd of March 2016 Brussels Airport was hit by terror attacks, which led to a 12-day closure of the airport. The flight programme of Brussels Airlines, which was partly operated out of other airports, was significantly decreased. This had a big influence on the traffic figures of March 2016. In March 2017 the airline operated 25.5% more flights compared to March 2016

The month of March was closed with the launch of Mumbai. Since the 30th of March, Brussels Airlines flies five times a week between Brussels Airport and the Indian metropolis. The new connection is showing a promising start .

The seat load factor of the flights went up 9,1 points and amounted to 74,8%. The cargo volume and the cargo load factor augmented as well.

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

VLY difference in %

 

March 2017

March 2016

 

Flights

6,650

4,955

34.2 %

Total Passengers

686,299

453,447

51.4 %

-- Passengers Europe

572,905

374,775

52.9 %

-- Passengers Africa

77,416

60,443

28.1 %

-- Passengers North America

19,368

8,391

130.8 %

-- Passengers Middle East

15,881

9,848

61.3 %

-- Passengers Asia

729

/

/

Available seat-kilometers  (ASK)

1,423,890,745

1,054,564,363

35.0%

Revenue Passenger-Kilometers  (RPK)

1,064,760,834

723,120,373

47.2%

Passenger Load Factor (%)

74.8 %

68.6 %

9.1 pp.

Available Ton-Kilometers (ATK)   

168,453

126,024

33.7 %

Revenue Ton-Kilometers  (RTK)

123,253

81,916

50.5 %

Cargo Load Factor (%)

67.0 %

47.8 %

19.2 pp.

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