Brussels Airlines welcomed 2 percent more passengers in 2013
Compared to 2012, Brussels Airlines transported an additional 116,360 passengers in 2013. The passenger growth was realized mainly thanks to the intercontinental flight offer to the United States and Africa.
In 2013 the airline’s seat offer decreased slightly compared to 2012. A nice passenger growth was achieved nonetheless, leading to a significant improvement of the occupancy rate. The average occupancy rate (Seat Load Factor) was 69.1 percent throughout 2013.
A remarkable month was the last month of December, recording a 12 percent passenger increase compared to December 2012 (+ 36,000 pasengers).
These positive passenger results – Brussels Airlines’ results were above overall market average – clearly confirm the strategic choices of the Brussels Airlines management. For example, in 2013, the European flight offer and the flight frequencies were better adapted to market demand. At the same time the intercontinental network grew thanks to the implementation of an additional long haul aircraft.
Highlights in 2013 included the launch of a second US destination, Washington D.C., and the Mediterranean holiday destination Alicante.
In addition to this scheduled flight activity, Brussels Airlines also operated numerous flights for tour operators, meeting- and incentive agencies and sports clubs. The passenger figures of these activities are not included in the year figures.
The freight activity of Brussels Airlines, expressed in freight ton-kilometres, increased by 14% in 2013. Compared to 2012 3,448 tons of additional cargo and mail were transported.
| Year 2013 | Year 2012 | Year/year difference in % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers | 5,878,179 | 5,761,819 | + 2 |
| Available seat-kilometres | 14,142,105,690 | 13,436,383,651 | + 5 |
| Revenue passenger-kilometres | 9,777,789,484 | 9,229,207,645 | + 6 |
| Freight ton-kilometres | 178,508,000 | 156,302,000 | + 14.21 |
| Overall Loadfactor (Passengers & Freight) | 66.8% | 64.2% | + 2.6 pct point |
| Passenger Load Factor | 69.1% | 68.7% | + 0.4 pct point |
| December 2013 | December 2012 | month/month difference in % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers | 433,589 | 388,439 | + 12 |
| Available seat-kilometres | 1,165,321,854 | 1,037,042,830 | + 12 |
| Revenue passenger-kilometres | 786,011,660 | 693,567,109 | + 13 |
| Freight ton-kilometres | 17,214,000 | 14,130,000 | + 22 |
| Overall Loadfactor (Passengers & Freight) | 57.9 % | 59.1 % | - 1.2 pct point |
| Passenger Load Factor (PLF) | 67.5 % | 66.9 % | + 0.6 pct point |