Brussels Airlines achieves record profit and creates additional jobs

  • Turnover increases by 6.9% to 1.274 billion euro
  • Net profit of 41.3 million euro (after deduction of 5 million for redistribution to personnel)
  • Growth strategy continues in 2016
  • 240 additional jobs

 

Brussels Airlines can look back on a successful 2015. Thanks to the commercial success, the successful repositioning in the market and ongoing cost control, 2015 ended with a net profit of 41.3 million euros. "Our efforts to make Brussels Airlines an attractive, dynamic and competitive airline has paid off in the past year," says CEO Bernard Gustin.

 

With a passenger increase of 13%, Brussels Airlines is one of the fastest growing airlines in Europe. The airline’s seat load factor increased by 3.4 percentage points. This growth, the result of the growing flight offer and Brussels Airlines’ repositioning as a competitive airline offering service as well as low fares, have contributed to strong financial results.


Profitable network in all three regions

Brussels Airlines’ turnover increased by 6.9% to a total of 1.274 billion euro. After a break-even in 2014, the higher turnover, together with a significant cost reduction in 2015, has resulted in an operating profit of 43.1 million euro and a net profit of 41.3 million euro. The European network as well as the African and Trans-Atlantic flights were profitable in 2015.

The low fuel price has had a positive impact on the results, but it would be wrong to assume this is the most important factor. Other external cost elements such as the strong dollar and increased air traffic control taxes have diminished the beneficial effect of the fuel price. In addition, the temporary lockdown in Brussels, at the end of last year, and the unstable Russian market situation also had a negative impact. At the same time, Brussels Airlines lowered its ticket price further by an average of 10%.

 

Successful transformation

"Our results show that Brussels Airlines is successfully transforming into a modern, future-proof airline that welcomes more customers each month. I am very grateful to our staff for their dedication, which contributes to this result," says Bernard Gustin.

Brussels Airlines significantly strengthened its network and its market position in 2015. In total, 14 new destinations were launched last year, two aircraft joined the fleet and the offer increased with 668,000 additional seats. The new loyalty program "LOOP" was also launched in 2015 to meet the demand of customers traveling in Europe, and has already registered over 50,000 members.

"The market responds positively to our commercial strategy and we are on the right track," Bernard Gustin concludes. "But we cannot stop here. In fact, in today's very challenging market, we have to make Brussels Airlines even more attractive and competitive. Further reduce our costs and increase profit, increase responsiveness to market evolutions, continue to invest for our customers and offer attractive travel products, these remain our priorities."
 

Growth strategy continues in 2016

The financial results of 2015 lay the foundation for the growth strategy that Brussels Airlines will continue in 2016. During the summer season, starting at the end of next week, the airline launches 9 new destinations. A 9th Airbus A330 for long-haul flights will join the fast growing fleet by the end of next week and a tenth A330 is scheduled for the end of 2016, beginning 2017. The European fleet is also expanding with 2 additional aircraft and 4 Avro’s are replaced by larger Airbus aircraft. As a result, the seat offer increases by 7%.

The expansion leads to additional employment. In total, 240 additional jobs will be created in Belgium this year. "We are more than ever a key economic player for our country who connects Belgium better than ever to the rest of the world and creates employment,” says Bernard Gustin.

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

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