Brussels Airport handles 2.36 million passengers in September as cargo volumes continue to grow

Brussels Airport welcomed 2,361,512 passengers in September 2026, an increase of 3.9% compared with the same month last year. Cargo traffic also continued to grow, with total volumes rising by 6.8% to 70,257 tonnes, according to the airport’s latest traffic figures. Over the first nine months of 2026, Brussels Airport handled more than 19 million passengers, up 3.2% compared with the same period in 2025. Cargo volumes increased by 8.1% year-on-year, reaching more than 627,000 tonnes between January and September.

Passenger traffic continues to grow

September remained a popular month for holidaymakers travelling outside the peak summer season. The airport’s passenger total rose by 3.9% year-on-year, continuing the positive trend recorded throughout the first three quarters of 2026.

The growth came despite operational disruptions earlier in the year, including national trade union action days in March and May and a spontaneous strike at Belgian air navigation service provider skeyes in June. On those days, only part of the scheduled flights could operate.

Transfer passengers accounted for 14% of departing passengers in September.

Spain was the most popular destination country, followed by Italy, Türkiye, Greece and Germany. Morocco, Portugal, France, the United States and Switzerland completed the top ten.

Cargo volumes rise by 6.8%

Brussels Airport handled 70,257 tonnes of cargo in September, representing a 6.8% increase compared with September 2025.

The increase was primarily driven by trucked cargo, which rose by 37.2%. Flown cargo volumes also recorded growth, increasing by 2.5%, supported by an 11.4% rise in cargo carried on passenger aircraft.

Meanwhile, the full-freighter segment declined by 1.1%, while integrator traffic recorded a marginal decrease of 0.2%.

The positive trend was also reflected in the year-to-date figures. Between 1 January and 30 September, total cargo volumes reached more than 627,000 tonnes, an increase of 8.1% compared with the first nine months of 2025.

Flight movements also increase

Commercial flight movements at Brussels Airport increased by 2.3% in September compared with the same month last year. Passenger flight movements rose by 2.5%, while cargo flight movements increased by 3.2%.

The average number of passengers per flight also continued to rise. Each flight carried an average of 150 passengers in September, two more than in the same month of 2025.

The latest figures point to continued growth in both passenger and cargo traffic at Brussels Airport during the first nine months of 2026, despite operational disruptions earlier in the year.