With a 24,000-strong workforce, Brussels Airport confirms its role as a key economic driver for Belgium and its regions.
Employment figures at Brussels Airport are continuing to grow, demonstrating the sustainable growth of jobs at the airport, and, in particular, its attractiveness for workers with diverse profiles. A recent study carried out by HIVA-KU Leuven, at the request of Aviato, the reference when it comes to pooling employment opportunities at Brussels Airport, took a closer look at direct employment at Brussels Airport to draw a portrait of the workers, and thus better meet recruitment needs.
More than ever, Brussels Airport is one of the most attractive employment centres in Belgium. Aviation is admittedly surrounded by a certain aura, whether due to its association with holidays or travel, or its promise of new technologies, sustainable innovation or future projects. And Brussels Airport has something to offer all these enthusiasts looking for new challenges and ready to embark on these many upcoming projects. Not to mention the diversity of jobs at the site. At Brussels Airport, you can work in commercial, administrative, operational, security, hospitality, baggage handling or consultancy roles. All professions, or almost, are represented.
“With nearly 24,000 jobs at the airport, Brussels Airport is one of the most important economic hubs in the country”, says Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company. “The study points to a sustainable growth of jobs on our site. We continue to welcome new partners and, with them, new colleagues and new jobs. We are constantly on the lookout for new profiles, which is why it is important to have a good grasp of the job market and thus better meet the needs of employers and jobseekers. “
But who are these 23,836 workers? In 2017, Aviato, the reference when it comes to pooling employment opportunities at Brussels Airport, asked HIVA-KU Leuven (Institute for Research on Work and Society) to conduct a survey on direct employment at Brussels Airport. It revealed that the 23,836 workers are distributed among 317 individual companies, in three different clusters: the Aviation cluster which represents 41% of the total workers, the cluster of other airport-related activities, which represents 48% and the Business cluster, growing at 11%. The workers come mainly from Flemish Brabant (40%), Antwerp (17%), the Brussels Region (16%) and West Flanders (10%). More than 10% come from the Walloon Region. A geographical diversity that shows the interest in Brussels Airport all over Belgium.
While many of the jobs at the airport are offered on a full-time basis, the sheer diversity of jobs leaves the door open to all types of opportunities. It nevertheless highlights the durability and quality of jobs at Brussels Airport, with full-time employees staying longer with the same employer than is the case for part-time jobs. As a general rule, more men are employed than women. Women are well represented within the airlines, travel agencies, retailers and security. All age groups are accounted for, with the 25-49-year-old-bracket making up the majority.
“These results clearly show the quality, diversity and stability of employment at Brussels Airport,” continues Arnaud Feist. "There is no doubt that our airport exerts a strong “pull” but there are still many vacancies, in sectors sometimes overlooked by jobseekers. It is up to us to attract them, meet them and welcome them in the 317 companies present at Brussels Airport, notably via Aviato and Brussels Airport Company.”
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