Brussels Airport: a new feat with over a million passengers during the end-of-year festivities

L'Brussels National Airport is gearing up for an exceptional period during the festive season. Between Friday December 20 and Sunday January 5, a record number of over one million passengers are expected. This far exceeds the 850,000 passengers recorded last year. The peak is expected on Friday December 20, with around 72,000 passengersof which 40,000 were departures. This trend demonstrates the growing appetite of Belgians for international travel, a phenomenon reinforced by the 9 % increase in passengers in November, reaching 1.7 million.

The end-of-year festivities are shaping up to be monumental for Brussels airport. A flow of over a million travelers is expected, a real feat for this airport, which continues to grow in popularity. This year, it seems that the magic of the festive season has prompted many Belgians to opt for foreign escapades, resulting in this record figure.

Peak attendance expected

Between December 20 and January 5, Brussels Airport is expecting to welcome an exceptional number of passengers. Friday December 20 is expected to be the busiest day, with around 72,000 passengers passing through the airport. An impressive 40,000 of these travelers will be heading for sunny destinations, escaping the cold Belgian winter.

A growing trend

This success is not unprecedented. Already in November, the airport recorded a 9 % increase in passenger numbers, reaching 1.7 million over the previous year. This growing trend reflects Belgians' enthusiasm for winter travel. Charleroi airport is also expecting an increase, with over 450,000 passengers during the Christmas vacations, a jump of 8 % on last year.

Logistical challenges ahead

With an annual capacity of around 40 million passengers and 450,000 flights, Brussels-National airport is already well versed in handling massive influxes of travelers. However, this expected record represents a major logistical challenge. This challenge is made all the more complex by the airport's location in the heart of a densely urbanized area, requiring precise management to ensure smooth operations.

The international context

On a more global scale, travellers have to navigate through numerous challenges, such as flight delayswhich have become a common nuisance, and the ever-changing geopolitical situation. Visit aviation technology is improving to meet these expectations, with innovations such as major updates to airline mobile applications.

Prospects for travelers

Travellers also have plenty to look forward to, with the introduction of attractive offers such as free tourist visas proposed by Sri Lanka. At the same time, the lost luggage problem remains a concern, prompting airports and airlines to strengthen their monitoring systems.

Magnitude of a phenomenon

This massive influx of travelers not only underscores the growing appeal of Brussels Airportbut also reflects the renewed vigor of the post-pandemic airline sector. The aeronautics industry is in the midst of a major revitalization, with a return to substantial passenger volumes and a growth dynamic that looks promising for the months ahead.

Brussels Airport Holiday Statistics Comparison

Criteria	Statistics 2023
Total expected passengers	More than a million
Daily peak	72,000 passengers
Number of daily flights	Around 450 flights
Increase compared with 2022	8 % more
Main traffic period	December 20 - January 5
Most popular destination	Paris-Orly
Annual capacity	40 million passengers
Number of lost luggage	Less than 36 million
November trend	Increase of 9 %
Impact of Air France star menus	Service enhancement

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