Brussels Airlines’ Strategic Expansion for Summer 2025
Brussels Airlines, the national carrier of Belgium, has announced a significant expansion of its long-haul network for the northern summer of 2025. This expansion plan is particularly focused on increasing the capacity to sub-Saharan Africa, a region where the airline has historically held a strong presence. By the peak of the 2025 season, Brussels Airlines will operate 56 weekly flights to this region, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year. This expansion is facilitated by the addition of a new Airbus A330 widebody aircraft to its fleet in June 2025.
In addition to bolstering its African routes, Brussels Airlines will continue to serve its North American destinations, maintaining regular flights to New York-JFK Airport and Washington-Dulles Airport (IAD). The increased fleet capacity not only enhances service frequency but also improves the overall travel experience by offering more direct flights and reducing transit times.
Enhancements to Key African Destinations
Significant improvements will be seen in services to several key African cities. Flights to Nairobi, Kenya, and Accra, Ghana will be elevated to daily rotations. Additional frequencies will also be introduced to routes serving Banjul, Gambia; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Conakry, Guinea. Furthermore, more direct flights will replace the current triangular routes to Dakar, Senegal, and Abidjan, Ivory Coast, enhancing efficiency and passenger convenience.
The most notable upgrade is the increase in service to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, which will receive daily direct flights starting in March 2025. Previously, the route included a mix of direct flights and bi-weekly services that stopped in Luanda, Angola. This change not only simplifies the schedule but also contributes to sustainability and reduces potential operational issues.
Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Brussels Airlines, emphasized the historical significance of the Kinshasa route, stating, “Kinshasa is without a doubt our flagship route. The history of aviation in Belgium began almost 100 years ago with the ambition of connecting Kinshasa and Brussels via air. Upgrading this route to a daily non-stop connection shows our unwavering commitment to the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Operational Adjustments and Fleet Enhancement
To accommodate the non-stop flights to Kinshasa, the airline’s services to Luanda will be transitioned within the Lufthansa Group. Lufthansa will take over with three weekly direct flights from Luanda to Frankfurt, ensuring continued connectivity to Angola. The last Brussels Airlines flight to Luanda will depart on March 25, 2025, with passengers rebooked on Lufthansa flights thereafter.
The current fleet of Brussels Airlines comprises 45 Airbus aircraft, including models such as A319s, A320s, A320neos, and A330-300s. With the upcoming addition of another A330 in summer 2025 and further expansion plans, the airline aims to increase its long-haul fleet to 13 aircraft by adding two more airframes. There are also plans to introduce new cabin interiors by 2027, featuring upgraded business class, premium economy, and economy class offerings, aligning with Brussels Airlines’ commitment to enhancing passenger comfort and service quality.