The Zaventem-based (Flemish Brabant airline Brussels Airlines reports a sharp fall in profits in 2025. This is despite the airline carrying more passenger and having increased its number of flights.
The Belgian carrier remained operationally profitable for the third year in a row. However, its adjusted operating profit (EBIT) fell by half compared with 2024 to 28 million euro.
During 2025 Brussels Airlines expanded its capacity as planned. It operated more than 68,500 flights, an increase of 11% on 2024. Passenger numbers rose by 10% 9.1 million. Meanwhile, the airline’s revenue grew 7% to 1.6 billion euros.
Nevertheless, there were a number of issues that had a negative impact on profitability. The airline said strikes disrupted flights on 7 occasions, costing about 15 million euro. There were also drone sightings and a cyberattack at Brussels Airport, which caused further operational problems.
Additional issues affected the airline’s long-haul fleet. Some aircraft were grounded longer than expected due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Brussels Airlines’ parent company Lufthansa, says that these issues cost around 19 million euros, partly because the airline had to lease another long-haul plane.
Brussels Airlines’ Chief Executive Dorothea von Boxberg says the company remained resilient despite the setbacks. However, she added that the airline needs “stronger profits to fund investments in new aircraft, better services and improved connectivity for Belgium”.
The airline aims for an operating margin of 8% to support these investments. In 2025 the margin fell to 1.7%, down from 3.8% in 2024. This year Brussels Airlines hopes to exceed its 2024 results move towards its 8% margin target.