Brussels Airport has reported a record financial performance in 2025. The airport operator, Brussels Airport Company, said revenue rose to 828 million euros. This is a 6 percent increase compared to 2024. The company also recorded a net profit of 84 million euros and made its highest ever investment of 302 million euros.
The results show strong growth in both passenger travel and cargo operations. However, the year was also marked by several operational challenges. These included strikes, border control delays, and capacity pressure at key times.
CEO Arnaud Feist said 2025 was a strong year despite difficulties. He said the airport achieved record revenue and also invested heavily in future growth. He added that encouraging airlines to use quieter aircraft is already improving environmental performance. This is part of a wider strategy linking growth with sustainability.
Passenger numbers at Brussels Airport reached 24.4 million in 2025. This is a 3.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. Growth was driven mainly by leisure travel, family visits, and new airline routes. More people also used the airport as a connection hub for international travel.
However, strikes across the country limited further growth. Around 275,000 passenger journeys were affected during the year. Several strike days led to thousands of flight cancellations. These disruptions created uncertainty for passengers and airlines throughout the year.
Cargo operations also showed strong performance. The airport handled around 795,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025. This represents an 8.5 percent increase compared to 2024. Growth was especially strong in express deliveries and passenger aircraft cargo space, known as belly cargo.
Imports mainly came from Asia, Africa, and North America. Exports were dominated by Asia and North America. The growth reflects the airport’s role as an important logistics hub in Europe.
Despite strong financial results, operations faced several challenges. One major issue was the rollout of the European Entry Exit System. This system introduced biometric checks for non European passengers. It caused longer processing times at border control.
At busy times, passengers faced waiting times of several hours. Some travelers missed flights due to delays. The airport warned that without more staff and flexibility, congestion could worsen during peak travel periods.
Strikes were another major disruption. Several national strike actions affected airport operations in 2025. In some cases, all departing flights were cancelled. These events caused stress for passengers and increased pressure on airport planning teams.
The airport also warned that further strikes planned in 2026 could continue to affect operations. This could lead to ongoing challenges for both airlines and passengers.
Even with these difficulties, Brussels Airport continued major investment projects. The company spent 302 million euros on infrastructure upgrades. These included new logistics buildings, a new car park, runway improvements, and upgraded passenger facilities.
The goal of these investments is to increase capacity, improve safety, and enhance passenger comfort. The airport said these projects are important for future growth and long term competitiveness.
Environmental performance also became a key focus in 2025. Around 42 percent of flights used quieter and more fuel efficient aircraft. This includes modern planes such as the Airbus A320neo. The share of quieter aircraft has doubled over the past ten years.
The airport supports this shift by offering lower charges for quieter planes. This policy encourages airlines to modernize their fleets. It also helps reduce noise impact on nearby communities.
Brussels Airport is also working on reducing emissions from ground operations. This includes electrifying airport vehicles and reducing fuel use on the ground. The airport has installed large solar energy systems that produce thousands of megawatt hours of electricity each year.
Innovation projects are also part of the long term strategy. These include electric self driving shuttles, clean energy sharing with nearby areas, and tests with sustainable aviation fuel. These efforts are part of the wider European Green Deal program.
Overall, 2025 shows a mixed picture for Brussels Airport. Strong financial growth and rising traffic supported record results. At the same time, strikes, border delays, and operational pressure created ongoing challenges. The airport now focuses on balancing expansion with efficiency and sustainability for the future.
