Brussels Airlines in 2025

[Homo Aeroportus]

Couldn't temporarily hiring a long-haul aircraft be a solution?
Other airlines do that too.

They found serious corrosion issues on one of the two A330s in in mx MNL.

Therefore, an Air Europa B787 will be wetleased from Feb 22nd to march 15th to tackle the issue.

Good decision.
A quick reaction was necessary. Only five (05) birds flying today.
SN491 to KGL-NBO got cancelled with 24h anticipation.
SN455 to BJM-EBB got cancelled at the last minute OO-SFX.

So on top of Echo and Golf in MNL, Delta, Hotel and X-ray are out in BRU. Having one bird in Mx is normal, but with two more you need all hands on deck besides tools and spares to bring them back on line.

Can only hope for better times soon.
H.A.

[nordikcam]

Couldn't temporarily hiring a long-haul aircraft be a solution?
Other airlines do that too.

They found serious corrosion issues on one of the two A330s in in mx MNL.

Therefore, an Air Europa B787 will be wetleased from Feb 22nd to march 15th to tackle the issue.

Good decision.
A quick reaction was necessary. Only five (05) birds flying today.
SN491 to KGL-NBO got cancelled with 24h anticipation.
SN455 to BJM-EBB got cancelled at the last minute OO-SFX.

So on top of Echo and Golf in MNL, Delta, Hotel and X-ray are out in BRU. Having one bird in Mx is normal, but with two more you need all hands on deck besides tools and spares to bring them back on line.

Can only hope for better times soon.
H.A.

I obviously understand that safety takes priority over any comments. Consequence of the immobilization of this or that plane: New York and Nairobi poorly served this winter! Wouldn't it be wise not to sell them as SN flights and to adapt the programme ? At the moment passengers are buying a cat in a bag.

[convair]

Couldn't temporarily hiring a long-haul aircraft be a solution?
Other airlines do that too.

They found serious corrosion issues on one of the two A330s in in mx MNL.

Therefore, an Air Europa B787 will be wetleased from Feb 22nd to march 15th to tackle the issue.

Good decision.
A quick reaction was necessary. Only five (05) birds flying today.
SN491 to KGL-NBO got cancelled with 24h anticipation.
SN455 to BJM-EBB got cancelled at the last minute OO-SFX.

So on top of Echo and Golf in MNL, Delta, Hotel and X-ray are out in BRU. Having one bird in Mx is normal, but with two more you need all hands on deck besides tools and spares to bring them back on line.

Can only hope for better times soon.
H.A.

Does someone here know where former Air Belgium A339s OO-ABF(1844) and OO-ABG(1861) have been stored? Are they available?

[lumumba]

In my opinion Brussels Airlines react much too late and all this to make profit in my opinion it is a bad calculation.

[rwandan-flyer]

Keep aircraft grounded because there are some new issues with the maintenance, it's a safety decisions and anyway you won't make profits with these aircraft. You can't predict at the begining of a maintenance check that it will be last longer than planned. I don't think they are happy with this.

Brussels Airlines is probably losing money right now (we will see if there will be an impact for semester financial results) because a part of its long haul fleet is grounded and because the maitenance check is longer than planned. And also they have not the choice to lease an aircraft from another airline.

In this case you don't have many choices. Canceled flights, suspend routes or lease aircraft. Till now Brussels Airlines has choosen to cancel some flights but to keep all its long haul destinations. I don't include Luanda because it's due the security troubles in Kinshasa. In deed probably in a short period is not a bad solution, but it's longer period it can be a bad solution. That's why they will lease a B787-9 from Air Europa.

Look what's happening at Air New Zealand. Due to the delays of aircraft deliveries, trouble on B787-9 engines and delayed refurbishement, since few years, they lwere forced to lease B777-300ER from Cathay and Eva Air, A330 from Wamos and they are forced to cut 2 routes : Chicago in 2024 and they won't resume seasonal service to Seoul from Oct25. They have probably reduced their international flights program.

The situation won't back to the normal before the end of 2026. In almost 2 years !!! https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/150241 ... -shortfall. And of courde they are losing money

Air New Zealand earnings hampered by lack of planes https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/534 ... -of-planes

Air New Zealand forecasting lower profits in 2025 as engine issues plague fleet https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/air- ... ague-fleet

Same thing American Airlines which is forced to suspend, to delay the launch of new routes or to reduce capacity on some routes. As i previously said, they operate now seasonal service from Chicago to Paris. And they have planned to provide again year around service since 2019 from Miami Paris Cdg this year, but they have canceled it. Not enough B787s for the next summer.

Issues would probably worst if a large part of Brussels Airlines was composed of brand new aircraft when you see all troubles. Air France has 7 A220s grounded at Toulouse, last year, British Airways has canceled hundreds flights and closed some routes due to B787 engines issues (https://airlinergs.com/british-airways- ... ne-issues/), Wizz Air 40 A320Neo family grounded as of JAN25 at least till 2026!!! About 20% of the A320Neo fleet (https://simpleflying.com/40-wizz-air-ai ... t-whitney/)

[lumumba]

Keep aircraft grounded because there are some new issues with the maintenance, it's a safety decisions and anyway you won't make profits with these aircraft. You can't predict at the begining of a maintenance check that it will be last longer than planned. I don't think they are happy with this.

Brussels Airlines is probably losing money right now (we will see if there will be an impact for semester financial results) because a part of its long haul fleet is grounded and because the maitenance check is longer than planned. And also they have not the choice to lease an aircraft from another airline.

In this case you don't have many choices. Canceled flights, suspend routes or lease aircraft. Till now Brussels Airlines has choosen to cancel some flights but to keep all its long haul destinations. I don't include Luanda because it's due the security troubles in Kinshasa. In deed probably in a short period is not a bad solution, but it's longer period it can be a bad solution. That's why they will lease a B787-9 from Air Europa.

Look what's happening at Air New Zealand. Due to the delays of aircraft deliveries, trouble on B787-9 engines and delayed refurbishement, since few years, they lwere forced to lease B777-300ER from Cathay and Eva Air, A330 from Wamos and they are forced to cut 2 routes : Chicago in 2024 and they won't resume seasonal service to Seoul from Oct25. They have probably reduced their international flights program.

The situation won't back to the normal before the end of 2026. In almost 2 years !!! https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/150241 ... -shortfall. And of courde they are losing money

Air New Zealand earnings hampered by lack of planes https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/534 ... -of-planes

Air New Zealand forecasting lower profits in 2025 as engine issues plague fleet https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/air- ... ague-fleet

Same thing American Airlines which is forced to suspend, to delay the launch of new routes or to reduce capacity on some routes. As i previously said, they operate now seasonal service from Chicago to Paris. And they have planned to provide again year around service since 2019 from Miami Paris Cdg this year, but they have canceled it. Not enough B787s for the next summer.

Issues would probably worst if a large part of Brussels Airlines was composed of brand new aircraft when you see all troubles. Air France has 7 A220s grounded at Toulouse, last year, British Airways has canceled hundreds flights and closed some routes due to B787 engines issues (https://airlinergs.com/british-airways- ... ne-issues/), Wizz Air 40 A320Neo family grounded as of JAN25 at least till 2026!!! About 20% of the A320Neo fleet (https://simpleflying.com/40-wizz-air-ai ... t-whitney/)

When I read you I have the impression that they never make mistakes, they always make the right decisions, it doesn't seem very objective to me.

[Atlantis]

They found serious corrosion issues on one of the two A330s in in mx MNL.

Therefore, an Air Europa B787 will be wetleased from Feb 22nd to march 15th to tackle the issue.

Good decision.
A quick reaction was necessary. Only five (05) birds flying today.
SN491 to KGL-NBO got cancelled with 24h anticipation.
SN455 to BJM-EBB got cancelled at the last minute OO-SFX.

So on top of Echo and Golf in MNL, Delta, Hotel and X-ray are out in BRU. Having one bird in Mx is normal, but with two more you need all hands on deck besides tools and spares to bring them back on line.

Can only hope for better times soon.
H.A.

I obviously understand that safety takes priority over any comments. Consequence of the immobilization of this or that plane: New York and Nairobi poorly served this winter! Wouldn't it be wise not to sell them as SN flights and to adapt the programme ? At the moment passengers are buying a cat in a bag.

Or they could make New York also seasonal just like IAD. This makes one aircraft free and can be used as a spare when the others are in maintenance.
As an offer, UA could make the second daily flight year round.

[rwandan-flyer]

Keep aircraft grounded because there are some new issues with the maintenance, it's a safety decisions and anyway you won't make profits with these aircraft. You can't predict at the begining of a maintenance check that it will be last longer than planned. I don't think they are happy with this.

Brussels Airlines is probably losing money right now (we will see if there will be an impact for semester financial results) because a part of its long haul fleet is grounded and because the maitenance check is longer than planned. And also they have not the choice to lease an aircraft from another airline.

In this case you don't have many choices. Canceled flights, suspend routes or lease aircraft. Till now Brussels Airlines has choosen to cancel some flights but to keep all its long haul destinations. I don't include Luanda because it's due the security troubles in Kinshasa. In deed probably in a short period is not a bad solution, but it's longer period it can be a bad solution. That's why they will lease a B787-9 from Air Europa.

Look what's happening at Air New Zealand. Due to the delays of aircraft deliveries, trouble on B787-9 engines and delayed refurbishement, since few years, they lwere forced to lease B777-300ER from Cathay and Eva Air, A330 from Wamos and they are forced to cut 2 routes : Chicago in 2024 and they won't resume seasonal service to Seoul from Oct25. They have probably reduced their international flights program.

The situation won't back to the normal before the end of 2026. In almost 2 years !!! https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/150241 ... -shortfall. And of courde they are losing money

Air New Zealand earnings hampered by lack of planes https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/534 ... -of-planes

Air New Zealand forecasting lower profits in 2025 as engine issues plague fleet https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/air- ... ague-fleet

Same thing American Airlines which is forced to suspend, to delay the launch of new routes or to reduce capacity on some routes. As i previously said, they operate now seasonal service from Chicago to Paris. And they have planned to provide again year around service since 2019 from Miami Paris Cdg this year, but they have canceled it. Not enough B787s for the next summer.

Issues would probably worst if a large part of Brussels Airlines was composed of brand new aircraft when you see all troubles. Air France has 7 A220s grounded at Toulouse, last year, British Airways has canceled hundreds flights and closed some routes due to B787 engines issues (https://airlinergs.com/british-airways- ... ne-issues/), Wizz Air 40 A320Neo family grounded as of JAN25 at least till 2026!!! About 20% of the A320Neo fleet (https://simpleflying.com/40-wizz-air-ai ... t-whitney/)

When I read you I have the impression that they never make mistakes, they always make the right decisions, it doesn't seem very objective to me.

No it's hard to blame (always) the airline, when you know that some of their problems are external. I m takling there about fleet isssue.

Internal probleam at Brussels Airlines have often been talked there (we have more infos about work conditions at SN than maintenance check for SN A330).

Problematic schedules and leave for Brussels Airlines staff: A call for new dialogue (Janaury 2025) https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... -dialogue/

Strike averted: Brussels Airlines pilots call off planned walkout (March 2024) https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... d-walkout/

Brussels Airlines soars to record profits in 2023 amidst staff discontent (Febrauary 2024) https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... iscontent/

Brussels Airlines faces three-day cabin crew strike over work conditions and pay (February 2024) https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... s-and-pay/

Social tensions at Brussels Airlines: pilots seek mediation procedure over salaries (February 2024) https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... -salaries/

Growing discontent: after pilots and cabin crew, Brussels Airlines faces technicians unrest (Dec23) https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... ns-unrest/

I won't put all articles

[longwings]

As an offer, UA could make the second daily flight year round.

The flight to JFK caters to passengers for whom EWR is not an alternative. They'll fly out of JFK on another carrier before driving to EWR (no, UA will not take over the BRU route at JFK). Either way, the 757s suffer from the same problem as the 777 fleet, not enough of them! A321XLRs will start arriving next winter, but the first ones will be earmarked for replacement, not expansion.

Does someone here know where former Air Belgium A339s OO-ABF(1844) and OO-ABG(1861) have been stored? Are they available?

They were flown to LDE. Assuming for storage, not parting out, seeing as they are newish still. Available, perhaps, but not at short notice.

And of course you have to get the right aricraft for your operations. Probably a B777-200ER (Euroatlantic and Privilege) or B767 (Euroatlantic) , or 340-300 (Universal Sky) even leased less than 1 month is too expansive for Brussels Airlines.

Don't know the exact rate Brussels is paying, but the typical block hour rate for a 767 or A340 is lower than for the 787 they're getting.

Well, the first operators of these aircraft were SQ and CX and high humidity should be something regular at their home bases.

Horrible weather, you're right, but probably an unfortunate coincidence. Singapore has an excellent reputation for maintenance and their used aircraft often sell at a premium because of it.

[Bel33]

SFG scheduled tonight as SN9906 from Manilla to Brussels and already scheduled tomorrow to Dakar (FR24) but the second scheduling is impossible

[SLM]

Are there still Airbus A330s flying in Eurowings colors for Brussels Airlines? Thanks!!!

[Bel33]

SFJ

[Homo Aeroportus]

SFG scheduled tonight as SN9906 from Manilla to Brussels and already scheduled tomorrow to Dakar (FR24) but the second scheduling is impossible

Tight but possible.
OO-SFE went to MNL with a double crew I think. Just a tech stop of 1 1/2h at AUH, no overnight.
If the same goes with Golf, they may arrive around 07:00 tomorrow morning.
Still better to have a plan B if you fly SN203 tomorrow but hats off to SN if they make it.

H.A.

[Atlantis]

SFG scheduled tonight as SN9906 from Manilla to Brussels and already scheduled tomorrow to Dakar (FR24) but the second scheduling is impossible

Tight but possible.
OO-SFE went to MNL with a double crew I think. Just a tech stop of 1 1/2h at AUH, no overnight.
If the same goes with Golf, they may arrive around 07:00 tomorrow morning.
Still better to have a plan B if you fly SN203 tomorrow but hats off to SN if they make it.

H.A.

The flight to Dakar is canceled

[Homo Aeroportus]

SFG scheduled tonight as SN9906 from Manilla to Brussels and already scheduled tomorrow to Dakar (FR24) but the second scheduling is impossible

Tight but possible.
OO-SFE went to MNL with a double crew I think. Just a tech stop of 1 1/2h at AUH, no overnight.
If the same goes with Golf, they may arrive around 07:00 tomorrow morning.
Still better to have a plan B if you fly SN203 tomorrow but hats off to SN if they make it.

H.A.

The flight to Dakar is canceled

SN203 BRU-DSS-BJL is cancelled indeed.

SN1203 BRU-BJL-DSS wil be operated by OO-SFG with a delay. ETD 15:10

H.A.

[nordikcam]

Does the return of OO-SFG lead to the non-rental of an AIR EUROPA aircraft or is it nevertheless necessary? Thk's.

[Homo Aeroportus]

According to FR24, OO-SFG should arrive BRU around 09:00 and operate SN1203 tomorrow.

Plus one, but then it is again Charlie that will drop off line.
SN277 ACC-LFW has just been cancelled. Related to the 2.5h delay on T/O today? Problem not fixed satisfactorily to run another day? One sure thing is that SN gives priority to safety.

H.A.

[Bel33]

I think that the problem is SFD stuck in Brussels since 2 weeks

[nordikcam]

Therefore, an Air Europa B787 will be wetleased from Feb 22nd to march 15th to tackle the issue.

Which Air Europa aircraft will come ? Thx

[yannicksairbus]

Therefore, an Air Europa B787 will be wetleased from Feb 22nd to march 15th to tackle the issue.

Which Air Europa aircraft will come ? Thx

EC-MTI as SN501