Brussels Airlines launches second phase of Student Campaign with heartwarming homecoming stories
Sub-Saharan Africa is the most important market for Brussels Airlines, and it is so much more than transporting people from A to B

Brussels, Belgium - March 3, 2025 - Brussels Airlines is proud to announce the launch of the second phase of its campaign1 celebrating African students, highlighting their journey as they take on the world. Following the successful start of the campaign in November 2023, the airline now shares the emotional reunions of Ophélia and Lionel, two students who return home to Benin after a year of studying in France.
The campaign continues to spotlight these students’ journeys, and this phase captures the heartfelt moment when they surprise their families and friends with their return. Ophélia, a passionate law and economics student, and Lionel, a talented IT scholar, both embarked on their academic journeys in France. They are driven by ambition and a desire to create a positive impact in their home country. Their emotional return to Benin symbolizes the deep bonds they share with their roots and their dreams for the future.
“We are more than just an airline that connects cities – we are part of these life-changing journeys. With this campaign, we are not only supporting students as they chase their dreams, but also celebrating the powerful moments of reconnection that education and travel create. Seeing Ophélia and Lionel thriving in France and coming back home to their families is proof that one flight can change a life. Our deep commitment to the African continent and its students is truly at the core of who we are.”
- Hoyam Louassit, Senior Marketing Manager Africa, Brussels Airlines & Lufthansa Group
Have a look at Ophélia and Lionel's videos below:
- Ophélia's homecoming video
- Lionel's homecoming video
- Ophélia and Lionel's reunion video
Brussels Airlines wants to be the trusted partner for students, with a wide network of over 70 destinations in Europe and 18 across Sub-Saharan Africa. The airline offers attractive student fares, extra baggage allowances, and greater flexibility to make it easier for students to pursue their academic dreams and stay connected with loved ones back home.
For more information about Brussels Airlines’ student offers, visit this webpage.
Brussels Airlines celebrates aviation heritage: 100 years of connecting with Africa A century ago, a pioneering flight linked Belgium and the African continent. On February 12, 1925, three Belgian aviators took off on an ambitious journey from Brussels to Léopoldville (now Kinshasa). They completed the 8,000-kilometer trip in 51 days, arriving on April 3, 1925. Their journey laid the foundation for a lasting connection, one that Brussels Airlines continues to honor and strengthen today. More details in this press release. |
1 Brussels Airlines launches new campaign for the African market: African students taking on the world