Brussels Airlines has reported strong financial results for the third quarter of the year recording a record quarterly profit during the period between July and September of this year.
The Belgian flag carrier reported a revenue of €495 million ($534.9 million) between the months of July and September, an increase of 3.6% when compared to the same period of the previous year.
Adjusted EBIT was €78 million ($84.2 million), an 8.3% increase compared to the year prior, with an adjusted EBIT margin of 15.5% up by 5.3% compared to 2023. Total operating income for the airline was €504 million ($544.6 million) during the quarter, a 2.9% increase compared to the third quarter of 2023.
“Our focus on the customer and profitable growth has proven to be right. The addition of the 10th long-haul plane has a clear positive impact on our financial results. That’s why we have already decided to add three more Airbus A330’s in our fleet in the coming years,” said Nina Öwerdieck, chief financial officer, Brussels Airlines.
She added: “I’m happy to see a healthy Brussels Airlines that is growing and expanding in a profitable way. I would like to thank all our colleagues for their hard work during this past summer.”
When looking at operational performance for the quarter, the airline saw an increase in revenue seat kilometres (RPKs) increasing by 4.2% in comparison to the same period last year. In addition, available seat kilometres (ASKs) were also up on last year, increasing by 3.9%. Brussels Airlines also had an average passenger load factor of 85.8% which is an increase of 0.3% when compared to figures from the third quarter of 2023.
During the third quarter of the year, Brussels Airlines transported 2.5 million passengers on more than 17 thousand flights. The number of passengers flown by the airline rose by 1.3% compared to the same period last year. The total number of operated flights however decreased by 2.5%.
The airline added a 10th long-haul aircraft to its fleet and increased its capacity to sub-Saharan Africa, with its recently restarted Nairobi-route having had the highest overall seat load factor of the Belgian airline’s long-haul flights within the summer period.
Öwerdieck added further: “It’s an exciting time of sustainable and steady growth at Brussels Airlines, and I’m pleased to note that new colleagues continue to join us almost every day. In the summer months of 2025, we will also hire students for the very first time as cabin crew members.”
However, during the first nine months of the year, the airline has reported an overall adjusted EBIT of €32 million ($34.5 million). This is €27 million ($29.1 million) lower in comparison to the same nine-month period of 2023. The airline has put this down to “the lower production and engine supply chain issues in the second quarter and industrial actions in the first quarter.”
The airline has also stated uncertainty in the Middle East remains a challenge, as the airline would normally operate 10 to 14 flights per week to the region, but due to ongoing conflict a number of flight cancellations have been made. The airline said: “Brussels Airlines remains committed to connect the region to Brussels and beyond, when the situation allows.”