Brussels Airlines’ passenger growth continues in September

Brussels Airlines again recorded a passenger growth this September. Compared to the same period last year, 72,709 more passengers traveled with Brussels Airlines. The seat load factor increased to 82.5%.

September is traditionally a busy month for Brussels Airlines. On the one hand, business traffic picks up after the summer holiday, on the other hand, holiday destinations remain very popular for late summer vacations. In addition, a lot of expats returning home after a vacation in their home country, especially on board flights from or to Africa.

This resulted in a passenger growth of 8.9% over the past month. Noteworthy was the steady increase in the number of passengers that flew on European flights (+8.7%). The African network also contributed significantly to growth (+6%).

In total 886,617 passengers flew on a Brussels Airlines flight. The number of flights offered in September increased by 0.8% but the number of passengers grew faster, which led to an increase of the seat load factor, which amounted to 82.5%. It is the first time the seat load factor exceeded 80% in a September month.

The transported freight volume also grew. The cargo load factor increased by 13.9 percentage points and the Revenue Ton-Kilometers increased by 15.8%.

These statistics do not include the passengers on board of the many charter flights Brussels Airlines operates on behalf of tour operators.

 

  Month Month difference in % 
sep/17 sep/16
Flights 7,438 7,380 0.8%
Total Passengers 886,617 813,908 8.9%
-- Passengers Europe 742,691 683,498 8.7%
-- Passengers Africa 82,053 77,387 6.0%
-- Passengers North America 35,922 35,177 2.1%
-- Passengers Middle East 18,027 17,846 1.0%
-- Passengers Asia 7,924 / /
Available seat-kilometers  (ASK) 1,780,726,685 1,642,772,969 8.4%
Revenue Passenger-Kilometers  (RPK) 1,469,565,089 1,312,715,898 11.9%
Passenger Load Factor (%) 82.5% 79.9% 2.6 pp.
Available Ton-Kilometers (ATK)     212,043 194,318 9.1%
Revenue Ton-Kilometers  (RTK) 168,541 145,519 15.8%
Cargo Load Factor (%) 69.8% 55.9% 13.9 pp.
Figures based on preliminary data currently available 

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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.

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