Brussels Airlines registers slight passenger growth in May

In the month of May, Brussels Airlines recorded a light passenger growth of 4.2% compared to May 2015. The Seat Load Factor increased slightly.

In May, 697,941 passengers flew with Brussels Airlines to a European, African or North American destination. That’s 28,091 more than the same period last year (+4.2%). The European network generated a passenger growth of 3.4%. On its flights to and from Africa, the airline carried 3.8% more passengers. The number of customers that chose a trans-Atlantic flight grew by 25.4%. This remarkable growth is mainly due to the newly introduced service to Toronto, which creates more capacity, and logically, higher passenger numbers.

After the passenger decrease in March and April as a result of the attacks, Brussels
Airlines now registers a light customer growth. The demand for flights is not back at the level of before March 22, however, as the growth is mainly due to the capacity increase and the long weekends in May, which incited many Belgians to travel abroad. Moreover, mostly the number of connecting passengers grew (travelers who combine two flights via Brussels), but not the number of direct travelers to or from Belgium.

Despite the fact that Brussels Airport is again fully operational, the negative impact of the attacks is still noticeable, and, next to the business travel, the Belgian tourism still suffers. Therefore, Brussels Airlines supports initiatives like ‘Sprout to be Brussels’ to improve the image of our country and to stimulate Belgian tourism.

The freight load factor amounted to 63% in May. This is a decrasee of 12 pct points, which can be explained by the higher freight capacity due to the opening of the Toronto route. The freight volume on this new route is still in a start-up phase.

 

 

 

May

 2016

May

 2015

Year/year difference in %

Passengers

 

697,941

 

669,850

 

+ 4.2

Available seat-kilometres (in millions)

1,572.93

1,470.70

+ 7.0 

Revenue Passenger-kilometres (in millions)

1,149.33

1,066.93

+ 7.7

Freight ton-kilometres (in millions)

16,259

18,180

- 10.5

Freight Load Factor

63%

75%

- 12 pct. points

Passenger Load Factor

73.1%

72.6%

+ 0,5 pct. points

 

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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