All-time record for Brussels Airlines in 2015

In 2015 Brussels Airlines realized the largest passenger growth in the history of the airline, with a total of 7, 5 million guests on board of its flights. This represents an increase of 12,1 percent versus 2014 and even +30% compared to 2013. This growth is significantly higher than the average of the European airlines and the overall passenger numbers on the Belgian market. The reason is to be found in the airline offering a combination of both attractive prices ánd premium service. 

Brussels Airlines ends the previous year with a record growth. Not less than 7.500.909 passengers chose to fly Brussels Airlines to Europe, Africa or the States, or 892.042 more than in 2014. The European flights saw an increase in passenger numbers of 12.9 pct, the African network of 9.3 pct and New York and Washington 1.6 pct. The overall seat load factor grew with 2.4 percent points to 74.4 pct, with the transatlantic flights peaking at 80,7 pct.

Due to the higher passenger volumes and weight restrictions the airline transported less air freight in line with the expectations. The terrorist attacks that had an impact on Brussels in the month of December caused a temporary slowdown towards the end of the year.

Passengers choose for Brussels Airlines

“More and more passengers discover Brussels Airlines and remain loyal to our airline”, says  Brussels Airlines CEO Bernard Gustin. “Our broad network and new commercial strategy are becoming more popular by the day. In the light of today’s fierce competition in the airline industry, we are very pleased with this result. We thank our clients for their trust and our staff for their efforts in making Brussels Airlines a greater airline than ever before.”  

The new commercial strategy is two-fold: firstly passengers can now choose how they want to fly  and secondly, they have access to a much larger portfolio of destinations. In 2015 the main elements of the airline’s new positioning were implemented. Chief Commercial Officer Lars Redeligx: “We combine service and low fares. With our rock bottom fare of 69 euro return we reach the most price-sensitive passengers, but many travellers are also tempted by our growing portfolio of leisure and business destinations. It was this strategy that made us grew faster than the market in 2015.  In 2016 we will continue to offer our passengers more choice, more service, more innovation, all with a true Belgian touch. Indeed, we continue to invest in our product offering.

On top of the scheduled flights, Brussels Airlines also operated many charter flights as well as holiday flights and group travel arrangements for tour operators. The passenger numbers of this important activity are not included in the annual  figures of this report. In total Brussels Airlines flew 142.605 passengers to and from their holiday destination on behalf of tour operators.

The Brussels Airlines network grew in 2015 with scheduled flights to Accra, Bremen, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Billund, Zagreb, Bordeaux, Dubrovnik, Lourdes, St Petersburg, Calvi, Olbia and Ibiza. Other commercial highlights were, a.o., the launch of the new loyalty programme LOOP, the  inauguration of ‘Rackham’ (Tintin aircraft), frequency increases to West-African countries that overcame the Ebola crisis, enhanced cooperation with tour operators, the Tomorrowland campaign, the growing success of the new lounge “The Loft”, the popularity of the  Star Chefs and the Awards given to Brussels Airlines by the travel industry. 

 

 

Full year

 2015

Full Year

 2014

Year/Year diff in %

Passengers *

 

7.500.909

6.687.810

+12,1

Available seat-kilometres (in million)

15.913,65

14.947,52

+6,5 

Revenue Passenger-kilometres (in million)

11.832,51

10.755,77

+10,0

Freight ton-kilometres (in million)

170.676

189.499

- 9,9

Overall Loadfactor (Passengers  & Freight)

63,4%

61,9%

+1,5 pct. point

Seat Load Factor (Passenger Load Factor)

74,4%

72,0%

+2,4 pct. point

 

 

 

December

 2015

December

 2014

Year / Year diff in %

Passengers  

 

504.216

 

461.577

 

+ 9,2

Available seat-kilometres (in million)

1.175,30

1.073,93

+9,4 

Revenue Passenger-kilometres (in million

851,34

753,48

+13,0

Freight ton-kilometres (in million)

11.455

12.841

- 10,8

Overall Loadfactor (Passengers  & Freight)

60,7%

60,3%

+0,4 pct. point

Seat Load Factor (Passenger Load Factor)

72,4%

70,1%

+2,3 pct. point

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

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 more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Zone General Aviation - Airport Building 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com