Brussels Airlines by the numbers
38 aircraft, 71 destinations, 10 million passengers, and 1.6 billion euros (about $1.7 billion) in revenue as of 2019. These figures offer a quick snapshot of Brussels Airlines, the Belgian national carrier with a turbulent history.
The story begins on November 6, 2001, when Sabena, the predecessor to Brussels Airlines, filed for bankruptcy. Seeking to maintain a national airline, the Belgian government helped launch a new carrier backed by private investors, SN Brussels Airlines. While it saw early success, it eventually merged with Virgin Express. The two entities united under the single name Brussels Airlines on November 7, 2006. The German aviation giant Lufthansa soon took interest, acquiring a partial stake in 2009 before completing a full buyout in September 2016. This shift proved beneficial for the Belgian carrier, as the partnership allowed it to become an official member of the Star Alliance in December 2009. This move unlocked a series of advantages for passengers, including the Miles and More loyalty program and access to a much wider network of destinations.
Africa: The airline's second home
Regarding destinations, Brussels Airlines today connects Belgium to more than 70 locations globally, including 54 in Europe, 2 in North America, and most notably, 15 in Africa. This continent is their specialty, or perhaps their second home, given their 90 years of experience with the African continent, 62 weekly flights, and 1,289,434 passengers transported to and from the region in 2019.
One thing is certain. The airline proudly represents its home country with a distinct Belgian touch on board, featuring locally inspired menus and a selection of 8 different Belgian beers, making it a true ambassador for Belgium.
Watch out. Flights are often delayed and sometimes canceled, with no willingness to give the customer a chance to file a claim. Review imported on 11/04/2020 from our old site Voyage-Net.com