Brussels Airport - General, Pressroom

Brussels Airport expects record number of over 1 million passengers over the Christmas holidays

Brussels Airport is expecting over 1 million passengers during the Christmas holidays, setting a new record. The previous record for this holiday period was set during the 2019 Christmas break, with 988,000 passengers passing through the airport. The busiest day of the holiday will be Friday, 20 December, with 72,000 passengers expected. They will also be able to enjoy a unique Christmas concert that day by the ‘Scaletta Choir’, the children's and youth choir of 'Scala'.

It will be pleasantly busy during the Christmas break at Brussels Airport! From Friday, 20 December, to Sunday, 5 January, the airport is expecting a record-breaking number of over one million passengers, a significant increase from 850,000 last year. The previous record was set during the Christmas holidays of 2019, with 988,000 travellers, just before the onset of the Covid crisis. The holiday season kicks off on 20 December, which will also be the busiest day, with around 72,000 passengers expected, including 40,000 departing travellers.

Both snowy and sunny destinations popular

This winter season, travellers can choose from 142 direct destinations worldwide, including a few new options like Bangkok, Curaçao, and Tromsø. Classic winter sports destinations like Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Kittila also continue to be popular choices over the Christmas break. Passengers seeking sunny destinations can choose from the Canary Islands, Egypt, the Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Tunisia, and more.

Christmas spirit at the airport

Brussels Airport is once again wrapped in a festive winter spirit. Dozens of Christmas trees and thousands of twinkling lights help create a magical winter holiday atmosphere at the airport. On Friday 20 December, passengers in the Connector, between the departures hall and Pier A, can enjoy a unique Christmas concert by ‘Scaletta Choir’, the children's and youth choir of ‘Scala’. A festive Christmas market has also been set up on Gate B, offering mulled wine, hot chocolate, and fresh waffles. At the terminal, travellers can also send postcards and even create a personalised snow globe with their picture.

Five tips for a smooth journey

1) Arrive at the airport on time, check the website for personalised advice.

2) Download the app and get all the latest info about your flight, such as the check-in desk and gate number.

3) Come to the airport by public transport or reserve a parking space for your car online.

4) Pay attention to the rules for liquids in your hand baggage. You can fill your empty water bottle after the security check.

5) Do you have any questions regarding your journey through Brussels Airport? Ask our Chatbot BRUce, your digital travel companion.

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About Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport is one of the most important airports in Europe. In 2024, Brussels Airport welcomed 23.6 million passengers and transported 733,000 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 2025, the airport offers direct connections between Belgium and 210 destinations worldwide, with flights operated by 80 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 the largest area of temperature-controlled warehouses.  

With its SHIFT 2027 strategy, launched in 2022, 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 of private investors (75%) and the Belgian State (25%).Follow Brussels Airport on Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.  

Contact

www.brusselsairport.be