Brussels Airlines enjoyed a thriving summer season in 2025, welcoming over 1.9 million passengers across nearly 13,000 flights in July and August.
This marks a 12% surge compared to the previous year. Having expanded its fleet, the airline boosted capacity to meet soaring travel demand.
The airline recently announced a further 5-aircraft expansion of its Airbus A320neo fleet, with deliveries expected in 2027.
Brussels Airlines Record Summer 2025
To enhance the passenger experience, Brussels Airlines doubled the capacity of the bag drop area at Brussels Airport just before summer.
This upgrade significantly reduced wait times for check-in and luggage drop-off, even with higher passenger volumes.
Over 170,000 bags were processed through self-service counters after online check-in, with a record-breaking 4,000 bags handled on July 28 alone.
These improvements streamlined operations and made travel smoother for customers.
Where Did Belgians Travel This Summer?
Spain topped the list as the favourite destination for Belgian travellers, with Malaga and Barcelona leading the way. Italy and Portugal followed closely, with cities like Rome, Lisbon, and Porto drawing crowds.
Interestingly, demand for cooler destinations is on the rise, with Geneva, Berlin, and Copenhagen making the top 10. The full list of popular destinations includes:
- Malaga
- Barcelona
- Geneva
- Lisbon
- Porto
- Nice
- Rome
- Alicante
- Berlin
- Copenhagen
Passenger Uplift and Load Factor
The busiest week of the season was July 21–27, when Brussels Airlines carried 235,000 passengers on over 1,500 flights, achieving an impressive 88% load factor.
The world-famous Tomorrowland festival played a significant role in this peak, attracting music fans from across the globe.
Navigating Challenges
Despite the strong performance, punctuality faced challenges due to factors beyond the airline’s control.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) strikes in France and Italy caused disruptions, with ATC-related delays in France alone spiking by 115% year-on-year in June.
These external pressures tested the airline’s operations but didn’t overshadow its achievements.
“We’re incredibly proud of our successful summer,” said Filip Aerts, Chief Operating Officer at Brussels Airlines.
“A huge thank you to our dedicated team who worked tirelessly to ensure our passengers enjoyed their holidays. We’re a healthy, growing company, and we’ll continue to evaluate and improve to maintain the trust of our customers.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Brussels Airlines plans to analyse its summer performance to identify areas for growth.
With a focus on enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency, the airline is poised for even greater success in the future.
