Brussels Airlines gears up for a busy summer

Belgian carrier Brussels Airlines is set for a busy summer, with it having aircraft and people to support its operation.

The airline is expecting nearly 2 million passengers over the peak period of July and August. To support this growth, the airline will operate a fleet of 50 aircraft, compared to 44 aircraft in summer 2024.

In terms of destinations, Spain is the place where Belgians want to end up for the summer, with Brussels Airlines serving 12 Spanish destinations (Malaga, Barcelona and Alicante being the most popular, whilst Valencia is spiking). Next in line are Greece and Italy, both with 9 destinations. Brussels Airlines also notes a sharp increase in Belgian travellers to Oporto (Portugal).

Those who are looking to spread their wings onto the airline’s long-haul network, New York and Kinshasa are the most popular holiday destinations for Belgians.

Supporting this will be new aircraft – Brussels Airlines has added one Airbus A320 for short to medium-haul routes and one Airbus A330 for long-haul routes to its fleet. In addition, 4 Airbus A220 aircraft are deployed in the network via wet-lease partner Air Baltic, which operates flights on behalf of Brussels Airlines.

This brings the total fleet during the summer to 50.

In Quotes

Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines, said:

“While summer offers many a moment to pause and recharge, it’s also the season when our teams are at their busiest. Behind every smooth journey and holiday memory are colleagues who show up with dedication, care, and professionalism—day in and day out. I want to sincerely thank all Brussels Airlines employees for going the extra mile, ensuring our guests feel welcomed, safe, and valued every step of the way.”

A busy summer ahead

With a busy summer ahead, it seems Brussels Airlines has put in place what it needs to support those passengers travelling to warmer climates and beyond, with extra capacity in terms of aircraft, along with the crews on the ground and in the air to support them.

Passengers have to do their part – be it arriving on time, keeping themselves informed about their flight and ensuring they have the correct paperwork. However, the airline does allow passenger to check their trolley hand luggage for free.

That could be a benefit when trying to fight for overhead bin space on an aircraft at the peak of the summer rush.

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