Brussels Airlines records growth of intercontinental passengers in October

During the month of October the seat load factor of Brussels Airlines flights increased, together with the volume of transported cargo. The absolute number of passengers on the European network decreased, just like in September, while the intercontinental passenger figures increased.

Compared to October last year, Brussels Airlines’ October seat load factor increased by 0.6 percentage points. The overall load factor (passengers and freight) increased by 4 percentage points. This improvement is the result of Brussels Airlines’ capacity and network strategy that optimized the seat offer on the European network and expanded the intercontinental offer.

The European market situation remains a challenge and this is reflected in the intra-European passenger trend (-5,5%), although it is partly due to the capacity decrease on some routes. The intercontinental routes, Africa and New York, attracted 27% more passengers. The New York route again recorded a seat load factor of nearly 80%.

In October Brussels Airlines launched a new scheduled service to Edinburgh (Scotland). Flights to a number of summer destinations were suspended at the beginning of the winter season.

The passenger figures of October only reflect the scheduled flights of Brussels Airlines. The passengers of charter flights operated by Brussels Airlines on behalf of tour operators are not included in these figures. 

 

	October 2012	October 2011	month/month difference in pct.
Passengers	518,110	530,223	- 2.3
Available seat-kilometres	1175.94	1125.19	+ 4.5
Revenue seat-kilometres	806.26	764.77	+ 5.4
Freight ton-kilometres	14124	9790	+ 44.3
Overall Load factor (Passengers & cargo)	64.7 %	63.7 %	+ 4 pct. points
Seat Load Factor Passengers	68.6 %	68 %	+ 0.6 pct. points