Brussels Airport recorded over 2.1 million passengers in April

Cargo volumes grow by 11% to 70,000 tonnes

Brussels Airport welcomed more than 2.1 million passengers in April, a 8.5% increase compared to April 2024. The Easter holiday in Dutch-speaking schools, combined with the May holidays in French-speaking schools and the Netherlands contributed to this growth, despite the national trade union strike on April 29. Total cargo volume rose 11%, reaching nearly 70,000 tonnes.

Passenger numbers: +8.5% compared to 2024

In April 2025, 2,122,695 passengers travelled via Brussels Airport, an increase of 8.5% compared to the same month last year. This increase is mainly due to the Easter holidays in Dutch-speaking schools and the start of the May holidays in the Netherlands and French-speaking schools at the end of the month. This is a positive result despite the national union action on April 29, which had a significant impact on the travel plans of many passengers.

Transfer passengers accounted for around 12% of all departing passengers, mainly on routes to and from Africa and North America.

In April, the 10 most visited countries were, in order: Spain, Italy, Türkiye, Germany, Morocco, Portugal, France, the United States, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Flown cargo: +11% compared to April 2024

Total cargo volumes through Brussels Airport increased by 11% in April compared to the same month last year, reaching 69,617 tonnes. The total amount of flown cargo rose by 11%, reaching 58,855 tonnes.

While the full-freighter segment decreased by 9%, belly cargo rose by 19%. Integrator services recorded a strong 27% increase, and trucked cargo volumes grew by 12%.

The main import regions were Asia, Africa and North America. We also see the same top three in the main export regions: Asia, followed by Africa and North America.

Flight movements: +5% compared to April 2024

In April, the number of flight movements rose by 5% compared to the same period last year. The number of passenger flights increased by 5%, while cargo flights grew by 7%.

The average number of passengers per flight was 150, which is an increase of 3.5% compared to the same period last year.

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About Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport is one of the most important airports in Europe. In 2025, Brussels Airport welcomed 24.4 million passengers and transported 795,000 tonnes of cargo through the airport. Brussels Airport caters for the specific needs of business travellers and holidaymakers alike, on both intra-European and long haul flights. In 2026, the airport offers direct connections between Belgium and 205 destinations worldwide, with flights operated by 83 airlines.   

The airport also offers a leading cargo platform, specialised in the transport of pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, e-commerce and live animals. Brussels Airport is the most important pharmaceutical hub in Europe.

With its SHIFT 2027 strategy Brussels Airport Company intends to strengthen its position as a major European hub, accelerate its ambitious sustainability goals, e.g. through the European Green Deal project Stargate, and continue to diversify its activities by focusing on innovation and cooperation.

Brussels Airport is the second most important economic engine in Belgium, good for 64,000 direct and indirect jobs and is owned and operated by Brussels Airport Company. The shareholders are a consortium between PMV and private investors (75%) and FPIM/SFPI (25%). 

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Contact

Press Office Brussels Airport Company Luchthaven Brussel Nationaal 1M 1930 Zaventem

+32 (0)2 753 53 53 (for journalists only)

media@brusselsairport.be

www.brusselsairport.be