Brussels Airport experienced a notable uptick in both passenger and cargo traffic during February 2026. The airport handled over 1.6 million passengers, marking a 6.3 percent year-over-year increase, primarily due to the early Carnival holiday period that boosted intra-European and long-haul traffic to North America and Africa. Transfer passengers remained at 15 percent, reaffirming the airport’s key role as an intercontinental hub.
Operationally, the airport saw improvements with the average load factor per flight rising to 140 passengers. The total commercial movements increased by 4.1 percent to 13,761, with destinations in Spain, Italy, the United States, and Morocco being highly popular. These figures illustrate a recovering air travel market and the airport’s competitive edge within Europe's aviation landscape.
Growing Cargo and Logistics Strength
Cargo throughput also grew significantly, with total volumes reaching 63,050 tons, up 6.5 percent. Belly cargo and integrator segments performed dynamically, even as dedicated cargo flights slightly declined. Exports to Asia dipped slightly, but South America became an important import market. These developments emphasize Brussels Airport’s importance as a logistics hub, supported by a 3.3 percent rise in road freight, integrating air and land transport efficiently.
Looking ahead, airport management remains optimistic for the first half of 2026, citing stable demand across passenger and cargo sectors. Its extensive long-haul network and capacity utilization make it a key player in Europe’s aviation infrastructure.
