Brussels Airlines sees strong summer 2025 with nearly 2 million passengers despite ATC delays

Brussels Airlines recorded a successful summer season in 2025, transporting more than 1.9 million passengers across almost 13,000 flights in July and August. This represents a 12% increase compared to 2024, driven largely by an expanded fleet that allowed the airline to meet rising travel demand.

To prepare for the busy months, the airline had doubled the capacity of its bag drop area at Brussels Airport, significantly reducing waiting times at check-in despite higher passenger numbers. The improvement was well received by travellers, with more than 170,000 bags checked in through self-service counters after online check-in. A record was set on July 28, when over 4,000 bags were processed via the automated bag drop.

In terms of travel preferences, Spain remained the top holiday destination for Belgian travellers, followed closely by Italy and Portugal. Cooler destinations also gained popularity this year. The top 10 summer destinations were Malaga, Barcelona, Geneva, Lisbon, Porto, Nice, Rome, Alicante, Berlin, and Copenhagen.

The busiest travel week fell between July 21 and 27, coinciding with Belgium’s national holiday and the Tomorrowland festival, when the airline welcomed 235,000 passengers on more than 1,500 flights. During this peak, Brussels Airlines achieved a strong 88% load factor, highlighting efficient capacity use.

However, punctuality was a challenge. The airline’s on-time performance declined, largely due to external factors beyond its control. In particular, Air Traffic Control (ATC) strikes in France and Italy caused widespread disruptions. In June alone, ATC-related delays in France surged by 115% compared to the previous year.

Despite these hurdles, Brussels Airlines emphasised the overall success of the season. Chief Operating Officer Filip Aerts praised employees for their efforts, underlining the airline’s healthy growth trajectory and commitment to continuous improvement. The company plans to review the summer operations in detail to further enhance efficiency and passenger experience in the future.