Brussels Airport Passenger Traffic Rebounds 8% in Q3 2023

Brussels Airport, Belgium's main international gateway, registered a remarkable rebound in passenger traffic in Q3 2023, with 6,854,657 passengers passing through its gates. This represents a 7.71% increase from Q3 2022 but is still 12.55% below Q3 2019, a pre-pandemic year. This growth is a testament to the airport's resilience and the strong rebound of the European travel industry despite some lingering challenges.

Sustained Passenger Growth at Brussels Airport - Q3 2023

Brussels Airport in Belgium has been continuously increasing passenger volume growth, with a significant improvement noted in Q3 2023. There was a percentage change of 7.71% from the same quarter of the previous year, emphasizing the positive and encouraging progress made by the airport.

From Q3 2019 to Q3 2023, the airport has seen a general upward trend in passenger numbers despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic. In Q3 2019, the airport served 7,849,256 passengers. However, the pandemic led to a sharp decline in Q3 2020, with only 1,468,817 passengers, marking a change of -81.29% from the same quarter of the previous year.

The airport bounced back in Q3 2021, with an increase of 174.78% from the same quarter of the previous year, serving 4,036,022 passengers. This positive trend continued into Q3 2022, with a remarkable increase of 57.68% from the same quarter of the previous year, bringing the total to 6,363,910 passengers.

In Q3 2023, the airport served 6,854,657 passengers. While this represents an increase of 7.71% from the same quarter of the previous year, it’s important to note that these figures have not yet surpassed the pre-pandemic levels of Q3 2019. This indicates that the airport is still in the process of recovering from the impact of the pandemic.

Brussels Airport Passenger Volume - Q3 2019 to Q3 2023

Analyzing the Q3 2023 passenger traffic data for Brussels Airport, it’s clear that the airport has fared well compared to the rest of the quarters. The Q3 2023 increase surpassed the Q3 2020 pandemic levels and all other quarters but not the pre-pandemic levels in Q3 2019.
This indicates that the airport has not yet fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic on passenger traffic.

However, the quarters that remain a challenge for the airport are those during the peak of the pandemic, specifically Q3 2020. Despite this, the airport has shown resilience and adaptability, as evidenced by the steady increase in passenger volume in the subsequent quarters.

These figures underscore the airport’s commitment to growth and improvement, even in the face of global challenges. The sustained efforts of Brussels Airport to increase passenger volume are indeed commendable. The airport continues to adapt and evolve, demonstrating a strong commitment to serving its passengers and contributing to the region’s connectivity and economic growth.

Passenger Traffic at Brussels Airport - 2018 to 2022

The passenger traffic at Brussels Airport has experienced significant changes over the past five years. In 2022, the airport served 18,726,902 passengers, marking a substantial increase of 100.69% compared to the previous year’s 9,331,402 passengers.

This sharp rise in passenger numbers in 2022 is particularly striking compared to the consistent decline observed in the preceding years. From 2018 to 2019, the airport saw a modest increase of 2.54% in passenger traffic, from 25,636,972 to 26,287,166 passengers. However, the global pandemic led to a drastic decrease of 74.46% in 2020, with passenger numbers plummeting to 6,714,696. The upward trend started in 2021, with an increase of 38.97%.

The significant recovery in passenger traffic in 2022 suggests a strong rebound. While the exact reasons for this increase are not specified, it could be attributed to a combination of factors such as the easing of travel restrictions, increased consumer confidence, and strategic initiatives by the airport to attract more travelers.

The implications of this upward trend in 2022 are promising for the future of Brussels Airport. If this growth continues, the airport could surpass its pre-pandemic passenger numbers in the coming years. However, it is important to note that future trends will be influenced by various factors, including the global economic climate and the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

Flight Statistics at Brussels Airport - September 2023

Brussels Airport had a busy month in September 2023, with international travel accounting for a significant portion of traffic. The top destinations for international travel were Spain, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and France. The most popular international routes were to Madrid, London, Frankfurt, Milan, and Barcelona.

Domestic travel was also popular in September, with the top destinations being Liege, Brussels, Ostend, and Kortrijk.

Brussels Airlines, TUI, Ryanair, Lufthansa, and Vueling were the airlines with the highest number of flights during this time. These airlines catered to both domestic and international flights.

The popularity of Madrid, London, Frankfurt, Milan, and Barcelona as international destinations is likely due to their proximity to Brussels and the availability of low-cost flights from all these cities.

The popularity of Liege, Brussels, Ostend, and Kortrijk as domestic destinations is likely due to their status as major Belgian cities with various businesses and attractions.

Brussels Airlines and TUI, as the top airlines, suggest that Brussels Airport is well-served by various carriers, both full-service and low-cost. The presence of Ryanair and Lufthansa also suggests that the airport is used by both low-cost carriers and major European airlines. The presence of Vueling also suggests that the airport is used by both low-cost carriers and Spanish airlines.

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