Brussels Airlines welcomed 4, 4 pct more passengers in 2010

Despite the negative impact of the volcanic ash cloud, strike actions from Air Traffic Controllers and the numerous traffic interruptions in Europe due to severe winter weather conditions, Brussels Airlines transported more passengers in 2010 compared to the year before. In the period January through December 2010, 4, 89 million passengers flew with the Belgian carrier, an increase of 4,4 per cent over the year 2009.

If there wouldn't have been an impact of the airspace closure during the ash cloud period, Brussels Airlines would have flown more than 110.000 extra passangers, registered a 7 pct growth and passed the symbolic 5 million passenger mark.

Despite a slower economic recovery than initially foreseen, the passenger growth was realized thanks to the success of several commercial actions, the opening of new routes, the new Star Alliance membership resulting in an increase of codeshare passengers and new connecting traffic and partnerships with new corporate clients.

Passenger numbers increased in all traffic regions, especially in Africa, the second home market of Brussels Airlines where additional capacity was introduced in the summer season of 2010 resulting in the opening of four additional destinations (Accra, Cotonou, Ouagadougou, Lomé). In Europe, Brussels Airlines initiated own operations to Hannover and expanded its flight offer to the UK with flights to London Heathrow and frequency increases to Bristol and Newcastle.

"These encouraging figures realized despite challenging market and operational conditions prove that our strategy of creating a good performing Star Alliance and Brussels Airlines/Lufthansa hub at Brussels Airport is materializing  and leads to passenger growth", say Brussels Airlines co CEO’s Michel Meyfroidt and Bernard Gustin. "We will continue to invest in our Brussels hub in 2011 by adding capacity, opening new destinations and supporting the development of our Star Alliance partners by enabling smooth connections on our joint networks."

Brussels Airlines Cargo welcomed in 2010 a freight and mail increase of nearly 22 pct.

Not included in these figures are the passenger volumes generated by the charter activity of Brussels Airlines on behalf of tour operators. Also this activity was successful.

The financial results of Brussels Airlines in the 2010 business year will be published later this year.

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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