Brussels Airlines posts record profits

Brussels Airlines posted record profits in 2024 thanks to what it described as a "very successful" second half of a year, the company announced.

The Belgian national carrier said that it expected "significant growth" this year as well.

“We faced numerous challenges, particularly in the first half of the year, which prevented us from operating as planned,” chief financial officer Nina Öwerdieck said.

“However, the second half of 2024 was highly successful. Also in 2025, demand remains strong, and we have ambitious growth plans for this year.

"We create more opportunities to connect people, cultures and economies and we create more jobs, with this year a new colleague joining our team almost every single day."

Brussels Airlines ultimately achieved a stable turnover of €1.54 billion and the adjusted operating profit rose by 11% to €59 million, a new record.

The profit margin improved to 3.8% and the airline hopes to continue evolving towards the intended 8% in the coming years.

While fewer flights were operated last year than in 2023, there were more seats available overall, thanks in part to an extra long-haul aircraft (Airbus A330) and therefore the number of passengers rose by 1% to almost 8.4 million travellers.

The airline, which is part of the German Lufthansa Group, is adding two more aircraft to its fleet: an Airbus A320 for the European network and an A330 for long-haul flights. Another four aircraft will be leased during the summer (Air Baltic A220s).

“All of this makes Brussels Airlines the fastest growing airline in the entire Lufthansa Group,” the company said.

Lufthansa confirmed that Brussels Airlines will receive additional aircraft in the coming years, mainly to be used for destinations in Africa, bringing the long-haul fleet to 13 planes.

“The goal is to develop Brussels Airlines as a European hub for flights to and from Africa,” Lufthansa said.

Brussels Airlines had a fleet of 46 aircraft at the end of 2024 and employed 3,573 people, 5% more than a year earlier. The company expects to recruit about 350 people this year.

The company could also stand to benefit from Brussels Airport’s efforts to negotiate a new connection with India.

Until 2016, Brussels was directly connected to India by Jet Airways. After that, Brussels Airlines operated direct flights until 2018.

“Belgian and Indian companies regularly ask for direct flights to Delhi and Mumbai to be resumed,” Brussels Airport said.

“Among others who are interested, there’s the important diamond community in Antwerp and a large group of Indian citizens living in Belgium.”

Brussels Airport sees additional potential in the field of cargo, notably for pharmaceutical products.

India is currently the largest non-serviced Asian market from Belgium, after the launch of Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International and, from August, Cathay (Hong Kong) at Brussels Airport.

“Conversely, Belgium and Spain are the largest non-serviced countries from India,” said Brussels Airport.

Brussels Airport handled 23.6 million passengers and 700,000 tonnes of cargo last year. Approximately 150,000 people flew between Belgium and India in 2024.