Brussels Airlines in 2024

[flyinglsd2]

And what about the pre clearance USA at this time .
Maybe it’s important in the project USA-BRU-Africa
Time to UA to add IAH BRU and then to Africa

[Atlantis]

Hi,
Like you have said, one aircraft will be used as back up. Not for the moment bcs all 10 are flying but as from nr 11 yes. The next is to fly more direct. For the moment there is no capacity issue at the T gates. But in future more aircrafts can be prepared for the flight on a remote stand. Only for pax it will be at the gate.

It was stated here a few weeks ago that SN is keeping a spare aircraft every day; and that seems to be the case, as only 9 lh flights are operated every day.
But that doesn't fundamentally change the problem mentioned above by DannyVDB.

When the A330s fleet will be bigger (around 13) there will be most probably an evening departure wave as well so the flight will be spread even more through the day. Some recent improvement on the T-terminal has been recently set by the way, like the new e-gate at the custom allowing the EU-pax to go faster at the custom freeing up the way for non eu passport holder

That would be interesting indeed. Like in the plans of LH to have more cooperation at BRU with AC, UA and SN. If SN could operate a long haul evening wave there could be also a departure of AC and UA at that time. Like it is proposed in the plans, both have to grow together with SN

[DannyVDB]

Hi all,

Yet another question related to the expansion of SN. Especially towards 2025 (so maybe we have to open a new topic ?).

With one additional plane and assuming SN will concentrate on expansion in Africa, these are some considerations.

There are three options I see (or a combination of those):
1) Add frequencies
2) Split triangle flights
3) New destinations (I think they will focus on 1 and 2 in 2025)

However, not everything is possible/to be expected: e.g. no additional frequencies to Kinshasa (already 7 flights /week), nor to Douala/Yaounde (also splitting the latter is not to be expected).

What I expect (summertime):
- Accra/Lomé to go daily (not yet splitting), from the current 6 times/week
- Freetown/Monrovia to go from 3 to 4 flights/week (it was already 4 flights/w in the past and other players gave up on this destination)
- Nairobi to go daily, from the current 6 flights/week
- Split Dakar from Banjul and/or Conakry

This will already be (partially) 'tested' during the winter season when Nairobi will go down to 4 times/week and they will add/expand other flights ("During the winter, an extra direct flight to Dakar and an extra rotation to Banjul / Conakry and Monrovia / Freetown will be added to the planning.")

I have the feeling that this time, there will be no additional destinations, maybe that's for later (2026).

Additional destinations I can see in the future are: Libreville, Brazzaville, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Lagos (in combination with Port Hacourt) and eventually Bangui and Bamako (depending on the geo-political situation).

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Danny

[convair]

There are three options I see (or a combination of those):
1) Add frequencies
2) Split triangle flights
3) New destinations (I think they will focus on 1 and 2 in 2025)

What I expect (summertime):
- Accra/Lomé to go daily (not yet splitting), from the current 6 times/week
- Freetown/Monrovia to go from 3 to 4 flights/week (it was already 4 flights/w in the past and other players gave up on this destination)
- Nairobi to go daily, from the current 6 flights/week
- Split Dakar from Banjul and/or Conakry

This will already be (partially) 'tested' during the winter season when Nairobi will go down to 4 times/week and they will add/expand other flights ("During the winter, an extra direct flight to Dakar and an extra rotation to Banjul / Conakry and Monrovia / Freetown will be added to the planning.")

I have the feeling that this time, there will be no additional destinations, maybe that's for later (2026).

I agree on the main principle, i.e. no additional destination now, as they are more costly to establish and less predictable in terms of revenue. Except maybe for a sudden opportunity that you can't afford to miss (but you don't get a "Nairobi" every year!), let's first consolidate the existing network.

Splitting when justified by load factor; and recombine "weaker" destinations to "new" triangulars.

But increase frequencies on successful routes is easiest choice, imho.

Is there a premium for dailies?

[luchtzak]

Brussels Airlines is launching a new contest to design the next Belgian icon:

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... on-livery/

[oldblueeyes]

That would be interesting indeed. Like in the plans of LH to have more cooperation at BRU with AC, UA and SN. If SN could operate a long haul evening wave there could be also a departure of AC and UA at that time. Like it is proposed in the plans, both have to grow together with SN

The question may be rather at the TATL end.
Whilst the African destinations are usually final ones, i would rather expectsome pax to have 3 sector flights and than transfer waves in the US are important as well, so you don't want to land in the middle of the night on the East Coast.

[Conti764]

Hi,

Like you have said, one aircraft will be used as back up. Not for the moment bcs all 10 are flying but as from nr 11 yes. The next is to fly more direct. For the moment there is no capacity issue at the T gates. But in future more aircrafts can be prepared for the flight on a remote stand. Only for pax it will be at the gate.

I know it's not in the plans, but BRU should realy move forward with A-pier West. It wil be '28 or '29 before it would open and it's about the only infrastructural growth possible.

There is space enough in my opinion off shore which is still very little exploited in Brussels with a little investment you could create a lot if space.

Off shore?

[crew1990]

I guess he mean "on remote position"

[lumumba]

I guess he mean "on remote position"

Exactly
This is how the announcement is made when we are arriving with Air France in Paris to find out if we have a bus or not.
We will be at the dock or we will be offshore.

[longwings]

Additional destinations I can see in the future are: Libreville, Brazzaville, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Lagos (in combination with Port Hacourt) and eventually Bangui and Bamako (depending on the geo-political situation).

Lagos is already served by United (IAD) and Delta (ATL + seasonal JFK - or the other way around?). Not a deal killer by any means necessary (Delta serves Dakar too after all), but still connecting traffic from Canada/US will be limited.

The question may be rather at the TATL end. Whilst the African destinations are usually final ones, i would rather expectsome pax to have 3 sector flights and than transfer waves in the US are important as well, so you don't want to land in the middle of the night on the East Coast.

I'm not sure there would be a lot of connections from Africa to an evening bank to the US. Only passengers looking for the cheapest ticket would accept to spend an entire day at BRU waiting on their connecting.

There is a demand for late-afternoon, early-evening flights to North America for passengers who want to spend (most of) their day in Europe working before heading out. For connections, United operates late-evening banks wrapping up around 2200-2230 at IAD and EWR serving most of the East Coast and key cities beyond, so an arrival from BRU around 2030 or 2100 could work, especially once pre-clearance opens.

The problem is there is not much demand coming back. Don't know whether it is the late-departure or the mid-day arrival in Europe, but United's second EWR-BRU is an exception. Late evening flights to Europe are either large business centers (LHR, CDG, FRA) or leisure-oriented routes for passengers who fly when told because price matters more (LIS, NAP, FCO...).

[Atlantis]

Additional destinations I can see in the future are: Libreville, Brazzaville, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Lagos (in combination with Port Hacourt) and eventually Bangui and Bamako (depending on the geo-political situation).

Lagos is already served by United (IAD) and Delta (ATL + seasonal JFK - or the other way around?). Not a deal killer by any means necessary (Delta serves Dakar too after all), but still connecting traffic from Canada/US will be limited.

The question may be rather at the TATL end. Whilst the African destinations are usually final ones, i would rather expectsome pax to have 3 sector flights and than transfer waves in the US are important as well, so you don't want to land in the middle of the night on the East Coast.

I'm not sure there would be a lot of connections from Africa to an evening bank to the US. Only passengers looking for the cheapest ticket would accept to spend an entire day at BRU waiting on their connecting.

There is a demand for late-afternoon, early-evening flights to North America for passengers who want to spend (most of) their day in Europe working before heading out. For connections, United operates late-evening banks wrapping up around 2200-2230 at IAD and EWR serving most of the East Coast and key cities beyond, so an arrival from BRU around 2030 or 2100 could work, especially once pre-clearance opens.

The problem is there is not much demand coming back. Don't know whether it is the late-departure or the mid-day arrival in Europe, but United's second EWR-BRU is an exception. Late evening flights to Europe are either large business centers (LHR, CDG, FRA) or leisure-oriented routes for passengers who fly when told because price matters more (LIS, NAP, FCO...).

Exactly, like the Sabena flight from the past to NYC at 19.30. It was always full. Also with pax who missed their flight somewhere in Europe to NYC where transferred to BRU for that last flight.

The flight back was different. Economy yes, but the high yield were mostly booked on the Swissair flight. Sabena didn't had much business pax on the flight back bcs of that reason. Maybe now can be different?

But having 3 waves would be good and more attractive for other airlines too. A lot depends on the home carrier

[Stij]

Exactly, like the Sabena flight from the past to NYC at 19.30. It was always full. Also with pax who missed their flight somewhere in Europe to NYC where transferred to BRU for that last flight.

The flight back was different. Economy yes, but the high yield were mostly booked on the Swissair flight. Sabena didn't had much business pax on the flight back bcs of that reason. Maybe now can be different?

But having 3 waves would be good and more attractive for other airlines too. A lot depends on the home carrier

I loved that flight...

If triangular flight to West Africa are uncoupled, an afternoon wave to West Africa is likely and then an inbound wave from the US makes sence to shorten transfertimes in Brussels...

[oldblueeyes]

When will we know how many a320 neo's Brussels Airlines will get in 2025? Or are they getting some a320's from the group?

It may be the case that for the coming years the net grwoth on short haul wouold come via Wet Leases from Air Baltic, as they are recruting for BRU and likely they would become a strategic partner for LH.

[fcw]

It may be the case that for the coming years the net grwoth on short haul wouold come via Wet Leases from Air Baltic, as they are recruting for BRU and likely they would become a strategic partner for LH.

You mean the latest LH tool in the race to the bottom of employment conditions for crew.

[Matt]

Brussels Airlines is launching a new contest to design the next Belgian icon:

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... on-livery/

Any idea which aircraft will get this livery?

[nathan_06]

Brussels Airlines is launching a new contest to design the next Belgian icon:

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... on-livery/

Any idea which aircraft will get this livery?

I think OO-SBC, OO-SBD or OO-SBE

[Matt]

Brussels Airlines is launching a new contest to design the next Belgian icon:

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... on-livery/

Any idea which aircraft will get this livery?

I think OO-SBC, OO-SBD or OO-SBE

Those are brand new paintjobs, so I actually already excluded those.

For me, the candidates are:

OO-SNB
OO-SNJ
OO-SNK
OO-SNM
OO-SNN

[nathan_06]

Why not a a330 Belgian Icon

[sn26567]

Any idea which aircraft will get this livery?

I think OO-SBC, OO-SBD or OO-SBE

Those are brand new paintjobs, so I actually already excluded those.

For me, the candidates are:

OO-SNB
OO-SNJ
OO-SNK
OO-SNM
OO-SNN

OO-SNN with its Eurowings livery is long overdue! My favourite for the new iconic livery.

[Matt]

Why not a a330 Belgian Icon

I like that idea.

I like that idea a lot.