Brussels Airport handled 24.4 million passengers in 2025, representing a 3.3% increase compared to 2024. While growth remained positive, it was lower than initially expected due to repeated national strike action, which resulted in 2,400 cancelled flights and an estimated loss of 275,000 passenger journeys.
Despite these disruptions, the Belgian airport continued to strengthen its role as a major European and intercontinental gateway, supported by network expansion, rising transfer traffic and strong cargo performance.
Passenger growth held back by strikes but supported by network expansion
Leisure travel and visits to family and friends were the strongest growth segments in 2025. However, seven national trade union actions significantly impacted operations throughout the year, including the nationwide strike on 26 November, when all departing flights were cancelled to ensure safety and avoid severe congestion at the airport.
In total, around 275,000 passenger journeys were disrupted in 2025, tempering overall growth. Passenger numbers nonetheless increased from 23.6 million in 2024 to 24.4 million in 2025, underlining the resilience of demand for air travel from Brussels
The airport’s passenger network expanded further with the arrival of three new airlines: Cathay Pacific, Air Senegal and Smartwings. Six new destinations were also added, including three intercontinental routes that significantly enhanced long-haul connectivity.
Today marks the inaugural flight of @FlyAirSenegal from #BrusselsAirport directly to #Dakar. Operating 3 times a week, establishing Brussels as Air Sénégal’s second European destination. This new route strengthens connections between West Africa & Europe, facilitating both… pic.twitter.com/nQk1f6wAEe
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) December 9, 2025
New long-distance services linked Brussels with Atlanta via Delta Air Lines, Chongqing with Hainan Airlines and Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. On the short and medium haul network, new routes were launched to Bordeaux with easyJet, Larnaca with Aegean and Scandinavian Mountains Airport with TUI fly.
Transfer passengers accounted for 14% of departing travellers, particularly on routes linking Europe, Africa and North America. Brussels Airport continued to play a key hub role within the Star Alliance network. Spain, Italy, Germany, Türkiye, Morocco, Greece, Portugal, France, the United States and Switzerland were the ten largest passenger markets in 2025.
Cargo volumes surge as long haul connectivity grows
Cargo was a clear growth driver in 2025. Total cargo volumes reached 795,000 tonnes, up 8.5% compared to 2024. Air cargo alone increased by 11.5% year on year.
Belly cargo rose by 9.2%, supported by the expansion of passenger flights and new intercontinental routes, while express services recorded a sharp increase of 22.3%. Full freighter volumes edged up by 0.8%, whereas trucked cargo declined by 6.7%.
Asia, Africa and North America remained the main import regions, while exports were led by Asia, followed by North America and Africa, confirming Brussels Airport’s strategic role in global logistics chains.
New year, new #cargo route! @KalittaAir has resumed operations between Brussels and #Cincinnati on behalf of @DHLexpress.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) January 8, 2026
🔁 6 flights per week
✈️ Operated with Boeing 777F, the most fuel-efficient cargo aircraft
📦 Carrying mainly express pharmaceutical & life sciences shipments… pic.twitter.com/3863Ki1Luc
Flight movements, night operations and year-end performance
Total air traffic movements increased by 2.8% in 2025 to 198,000 flights. Passenger flights grew by 2.4%, and the average number of passengers per flight reached a new record of 145. Cargo flights rose by 2.2%, alongside 5,777 exempt flights, including state and military operations.
Night operations remained within legal limits, with 15,771 night slots allocated, below the maximum of 16,000. Commercial nighttime flight movements declined compared to 2024, while the number of night flights without a slot fell by 29% compared to 2022, reflecting improved coordination between airlines, regulators and the slot coordinator.
December 2025 delivered a strong end to the year. Brussels Airport welcomed 1.84 million passengers in the final month, up 3.9% year on year, boosted by the start of the Christmas holidays. Cargo volumes in December declined by 6.6% compared to December 2024, mainly due to weaker performance in the full freighter segment, although express services continued to grow.
Commenting on the results, Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said 2025 demonstrated the airport’s resilience and long term vision.
Despite national strikes and a cyber incident affecting one supplier, he said the airport remained focused on connecting people, businesses and communities, while progressing with the first phase of Hub 3.0, a large-scale investment programme aimed at improving the passenger experience. With further route launches and long-haul expansion planned for 2026, Brussels Airport is positioning itself for continued growth.
