Brussels Airlines is preparing for an ambitious summer season in 2025, featuring network expansion, increased capacity, and significant hiring initiatives.
The airline will operate a robust fleet of 50 aircraft, serving 91 destinations across its long-haul and short-haul networks.
Fleet and Capacity Overview
From April to October 2025, Brussels Airlines will deploy 11 long-haul Airbus A330 aircraft, 35 short- and medium-haul Airbus A319/320 aircraft, and 4 additional Airbus A220 aircraft from airBaltic. This represents a substantial increase from 44 to 50 aircraft compared to summer 2024, enabling greater operational flexibility and service breadth.
The airline’s short- and medium-haul network will experience significant growth, offering 71 destinations with an 18% increase in capacity compared to the previous summer. A notable highlight of this expansion is the introduction of Funchal, a new destination in Madeira, Portugal.
Destination Expansion Strategy
The network expansion demonstrates a strategic focus on key European markets. In Portugal, the airline will introduce weekly direct flights to Funchal and expand frequencies to Faro and Porto.
The Spanish network will grow to 11 destinations, including the newly added Fuerteventura route and increased capacity to major cities like Malaga, Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid.
Greece will continue to be a significant market, with nine destinations and enhanced services to Samos and Lesbos. The airline will also improve routes to Vilnius in Lithuania, Tanger in Morocco, and Birmingham in the United Kingdom, which will become a year-round destination.
Strategic Route Transfers
An important aspect of Brussels Airlines’ summer 2025 strategy involves assuming operations for routes previously managed by Lufthansa and Swiss.
This includes introducing daily flights to Munich and Frankfurt in Germany, as well as services to Zurich and Geneva in Switzerland. These transfers represent a significant expansion of the airline’s operational capabilities.
Workforce Expansion
To support its ambitious summer plans, Brussels Airlines will undertake a substantial hiring initiative, bringing on over 370 new employees across various departments.
This includes 190 cabin crew members, 50 pilots, 60 ground staff, 40 maintenance and engineering personnel, and 20 headquarters staff.
Leadership Comments
Jan Derycke, Head of Network and Planning, offered comment about the expansion. “We’re not just introducing new destinations but also adding capacity to our existing network. This provides more travel flexibility for our guests.”
“After ranking in the top 5 most reliable major airlines in Europe last summer, we remain committed to being a dependable partner for travelers.”
Brussels Airlines is the flag carrier and largest airline of Belgium. It’s headquartered at Brussels Airport and currently operates flights to over 100 destinations in Europe, North America, and Africa.
The comprehensive strategy positions Brussels Airlines for a dynamic and customer-focused summer season in 2025.
It showcases the airline’s commitment to growth, service quality, and operational excellence. By proactively expanding its network, increasing capacity, and investing in its workforce, the airline is well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the European travel market.
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