Passenger numbers at Brussels Airport reached 1 767 797 in March 2026, according to figures released on 27 April by the airport authority. The hub attributes much of the growth to a surge in connecting passengers, signalling renewed confidence among network carriers that use Brussels as a mini-hub between short-haul European routes and long-haul services to North America, Africa and Asia. Although the statement did not offer year-on-year comparisons, industry analysts note that March traffic is within 5 % of pre-pandemic 2019 levels. The performance is encouraging for airlines such as Brussels Airlines, United, Emirates and Qatar Airways, all of which depend on feeder traffic to fill wide-body jets. A healthy transfer mix also supports ancillary revenues in duty-free and food-and-beverage outlets, areas that posted double-digit growth last quarter. For international assignees and business travellers the uptick has two implications. First, load factors are tightening, making last-minute seat availability scarcer on key banking and EU-institution routes. Second, a busier transfer bank can stress baggage-handling systems—something that caused high-profile delays last summer. The airport says it is accelerating a €70 million baggage-sorter upgrade, but the project will not be fully online until 2027. Travel managers are advised to book early for peak-summer travel and to remind travellers with tight connections to use through-check services wherever possible. Companies should also watch for temporary schedule cuts if fuel-price volatility forces airlines to prune frequencies later in the year.
Source: RusTourism News
