Strong growth on intercontinental routes

Passengers
In July Brussels Airport handled 1.9 million passengers, up 2% on the same month last year. Growth is undeniably recovering but originating passenger numbers are still under pressure from competing airports.
Transfer and long-haul traffic recorded substantial growth (+20%). In the intra-European segment business traffic in particular is back to full speed. The Belgian leisure market – that contrary to most other European airports held strong last year – records similar results to last year’s.

Cargo
Although the summer holidays are never the busiest period for cargo traffic, cargo recorded a growth of 14% on July 2009. The full-freighter segment grew by 16%; cargo carried on board passenger aircraft grew by no less than 36%.

Aircraft movements
The number of aircraft movements totalled to 20,772 down a mere 0.5% on pcp, indicating that the decline is steadily growing smaller.

New services
Last month again saw the announcement of a number of new routes for Brussels Airport. Air Arabia is moving its operations to Fez, Oujda and Casablanca from Charleroi to Brussels Airport. Ukraine International reopens its route to Kiev as of September and, starting this winter, Brussels Airlines operate an extra flight to Nairobi and Kigali, their fourth weekly flight to these destinations and their 31st weekly African flight.

July 2010
Passengers +2.1%
Cargo +13.9%
Aircraft movements -0.5%

Year-to-date July 2010
Passengers -1.8%
Cargo +6.1%
Aircraft movements +5.4%

Brussels Airlines Press release 20 August 2010

The Moroccan low cost operator Air Arabia will fly from the airport of Brussels Airport instead of Charleroi as from the new winter season. Starting the end of October, the airline will fly from Brussels Airport to Casablanca three times weekly. On Tuesdays and Saturdays these flights make a stop in Fez, on Thursdays in Oujda. Passengers can book a flight from Brussels to any of these three destinations. For Brussels Airport, Fez is a new direct destination.

Air Arabia operates Airbus A320 aircraft in a full economy configuration. Their low cost product emphasizes on passenger comfort with extra legroom and a 20kg baggage allowance included in the flight fare. Meals and drinks can be purchased during flight, but soon it will be possible to make meals reservations and payment through the internet.

This evening flight arrives in Brussels at 7.35pm and leaves at 8.15pm.

For more information, please visit http://www.airarabia.com

Brussels Airport Press Release - August 10, 2010

Record choice of long haul destinations

Passengers
In June Brussels Airport welcomed 1.59 million passengers: 1.6% up on June 2009. Intercontinental traffic grew strongly. Several new destinations that were inaugurated this summer show a strong startup performance (United Airlines to Chicago, Air Canada to Montreal, Hainan Airlines to Shanghai). Older existing long haul routes also show strong load factors, to the US as well as to Asia and Africa.
Brussels Airlines started to operate four new direct routes in Africa in the beginning of July (Accra, Cotonou, Lomé and Ouagadougou). This establishes a new record : never before in history, such a broad choice of long haul destinations has been offered from Brussels Airport.

Passenger growth for the first half year remained negative (-2.6%), due to the volcanic ash cloud in April.

Cargo
Freight services (38.851 tons) have grown with 5.4% over the month of June 2009. In June again, this growth is mostly recorded with full freighter transportation and with belly freight on board passenger airliners.
In May, Hong Kong Airlines announced its intentions to start operating freighter service between Brussels and Hong Kong, via Delhi. After a startup period with 3 weekly flights, the number is increased to 6.

Aircraft movements
Brussels Airport recorded 20,704 flights in June, down a mere -1.9%. For passenger flights, this indicates a higher seat occupancy and the use of relatively larger aircraft types.

Code: Select all

June 2010                   Jun-10          Jun-09       Growth
Passengers (‘000)           1,589         1,564           1,6%
Cargo (‘000 tonnes)         38.8         36.8             5,4%
Movements (‘000)            20.7         21.1         -1,5%

Year-to-date June 2010      Jan-Jun 10      Jan-Jun 09      Growth
Passengers (‘000)            7,726         7,936         -2,6%
Cargo (‘000 ton)            237.0         226.0           4,9%
Movements (‘000)            108.8         116.2         -6,3%

Brussels Airport Press release, July 23rd, 2010

Since June 21 the new check-in row number 14 is operational. This row will be mainly used by Jetairfly. Thanks to the opening of this new check-in row, a significant increase of check-in capacity is established.
One in three travellers from Brussels Airport is a Belgian holidaymaker. Also many Dutch and French passengers start their holidays from Brussels. Most of them will now be checking in from the new departure zone, departure hall 2. In check-in hall 2, there are now 3 check-in rows operational.

In departure hall 2 various child friendly facilities have been installed:
- A BRU-Kidz play area with an airplane slide and various toys for the smallest passengers
- A child toilet, with 2 small toilets and washbasins installed at kids high and an area to change a babies diapers. This is located opposite check-in row 11. (note the adult toilets are located opposite check-in row 14)

Brussels Airport Travel News June 2010

Thursday and Friday are expected to be very busy at Brussels Airport, but the real summer exodus starts next week. About 35,000 holiday travellers are scheduled to depart on Monday 28 June with numbers steadily growing each day to reach a record 42,000 on Friday 2 July.

An overview of the number of departing passengers per day:

Friday 25 June 36,300
Saturday 26 June 28,600
Sunday 27 June 33,800
Monday 28 June 35,000
Tuesday 29 June 36,800
Wednesday 30 June 40,300
Thursday 1 July 40,800
Vrijdag 2 July 42,000
Saturday 3 July 31,800
Sunday 4 July 38,300
Monday 5 July 37,100
Tuesday 6 July 38,700


The last record dates from 27 June 2008 when 39,704 passengers departed from Brussels Airport. On an average day Brussels Airport handles about 23,300 departing passengers.

The following weeks too promise to be extremely busy.

In anticipation of the expected rush, Brussels Airport issues the following tips and recommendations.

Leave for the airport well in time
Passengers are advised to arrive at the check-in desk two hours in advance of their departure time for short-haul flights and three hours for long-haul flights. From 4 am until past midday the departure hall will be very busy. This may also be the case in the late afternoon. During peak hours the extra time is necessary to find a parking space, for queuing at the ticketing and check-in desks, for border control and security checks and for embarking.

Liquids and gels
Since November 2006 Europe restricts the quantity of liquids and gels carried in the hand baggage. Although Europe plans to abolish these rules in 2013 they remain in full force for the time being.
Liquids, gels, foams or pastes and other items of a similar consistency are allowed in the hold baggage (which you check in) but are strictly limited in the hand baggage. Any liquids or gels you wish to carry into the cabin should be held in containers of maximum 100ml and have to be presented to the screening staff in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag of 20x20 cm, freezer bag type.

Brussels Airport strongly advises passengers not to carry any liquid or gel-like items in their hand baggage if the use thereof in the aircraft cabin is not absolutely necessary.

This restriction does not apply to tax-free goods: these may also be carried on board in larger volumes because they were thoroughly screened before they arrived in the airport shops. The tax-free goods will be put into a sealed plastic bag. The seal may not be broken until you reach your final destination. Water and other non-alcoholic drinks that were purchased beyond the security screening point may also be carried on board.

More details are available on www.brusselairport.be.

Every day about 500 kilograms of liquids and gels are confiscated at the passenger screening points. Containers that have already been opened are destroyed; unopened containers are donated to good causes. Spirits and alcoholic drinks are sold to an auctioneer’s and the proceeds are donated to a number of orphanages.

Quick check-in
No more queuing at check-in with thousands of other departing passengers. Technology is helping us to check in more quickly. With some airlines over half of the passengers use the electronic self check-in systems.

Several airlines offer internet check-in. As from 24 hours before your scheduled departure time you can print a boarding pass from the website throught which you bought your air ticket. If you only carry hand baggage, you can immediately proceed to border control. The same is true if you use one of the self check-in machines in the departures hall. Many travellers seem to believe that these have been put there for the exclusive use of the “business travellers”, but that is not the case. Moreover these machines are very easy to use and there’s always someone from the airline around whom you can ask for help.
If you also have hold baggage you can deliver your bags at the check-in desk. Most carriers have a separate desk for passengers who have checked in electronically.

Identity papers for children
Like every other passenger, children under 12 years have to carry a valid identity certificate with photograph. That may be an identity card or passport. Children’s identity cards only have limited validity. Always check the expiry date before you leave.

Passports
Do not forget to check the validity of your passport or visa. For some countries you need a passport that is still valid for several months. Make the necessary inquiries.
Please keep in mind that the procedure to apply for an identity card, passport or visa usually takes several days.

A certificate of theft/loss issued by the police is not valid for travels abroad.
If you wish to book a last-minute trip, please check first whether you have the necessary identity papers or whether there’s still enough time to obtain for them. If you’re leaving for an exotic destination, please bear in mind that you may need several days or weeks to get the necessary vaccinations.

Baggage tip
Passengers are advised to provide each piece of baggage (including hand baggage, camera bag, beauty case,…) with a label carrying their name and contact details. Also put a visiting card inside each piece of baggage. If you’re baggage gets lost, this may be the only thing the services concerned have to go by to return the bags to you.


Parking facilities
The airport has a sufficient number of parking spaces to cope with the rush of departing holidaymakers in July and August. Details on the various formulas and promotions are available on the airport website: www.brusselsairport.be

Brussels Airport press release, 24 June 2010