CRJ 900 wrote: 24 Jul 2025, 10:41
SN leaving BHX is not coming as a complete surprise. BHX changed a lot and has become mainly a holiday or low-cost airport. I returned to BHX with SN lately after 10 years not flying there. I was really amazed how this airport has changed. It used to be a crowdy airport with major airlines serving it (including BA). Now, I only noticed a few regular airlines (LH, KLM and SN). LF on both my flights was around 70%.
Your forgot Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, Air India, SAS Scandinavia, Saudia. United ended its route in late 2010s. In deed, BXH is well served by LCC airlines, but you can find lots of full-service airlines.
The problem is that Brussels Airlines doesn't serve Asia while there are a strong diaspora from India and about Africa there is a strong competition, but demand is very low.
East Africa : KLM, Air France, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Lufthansa.
Central Africa : Qatar Airways, Air France, Turkish Airlines
West Africa : Air France, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa
Southern Africa (SN doesn't serve Southern Africa) : KLM, Air France, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Lufthansa.
It's quite hard for Brussels Airlines to compete.
Top market in Sub Saharan point to point demand from and to BHX (only Brussels Airlines destinations) for 2024:
Nairobi : 9 935 pax
Accra : 6 298 pax
Entebbe : 3 100 pax
Banjul : 861 pax
Dakar : 757 pax
Abidjan : 553 pax
Douala : 485 pax
Kigali : 325 pax
After Kigali i don't have data, demand is too small
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