Brussels Airlines has reported a sharp decline in annual profit for 2025, even as the airline recorded higher passenger numbers and expanded its flight operations.
The Brussels Airlines profit drop highlights how operational disruptions and rising costs outweighed strong demand growth across the airline’s network.
The Belgian carrier remained profitable for the third consecutive year, but its adjusted operating profit (EBIT) fell by 50% compared with 2024, dropping to €28 million.
Despite the decline in earnings, the airline expanded its operations as planned. It completed more than 68,500 flights during the year, an increase of 11% compared to the previous period.
Passenger numbers also grew by 10%, reaching more than 9.1 million travelers. Revenue rose by 7% to €1.6 billion, reflecting steady demand across both short- and long-haul routes.
However, the airline said multiple disruptions had a significant impact on profitability. National union strikes caused repeated interruptions to operations, affecting flights on seven separate occasions and costing an estimated €15 million.
Additional disruptions included drone sightings near operational areas and a cyberattack at Brussels Airport, both of which further affected scheduling and efficiency.
Maintenance challenges also contributed to the weaker financial performance. Several long-haul aircraft were grounded for longer than planned due to both scheduled and unexpected technical work.
According to the airline’s parent company Lufthansa, these maintenance-related issues resulted in losses of around €19 million. The company also had to lease additional aircraft to maintain long-haul services, adding further costs.
Despite the financial setback, Chief Executive Dorothea von Boxberg said the airline remained resilient and continued to deliver operational stability in a challenging environment.
She said stronger profitability is necessary to support future investment in new aircraft, improved services, and enhanced connectivity for Belgium.
The airline’s long-term target is to achieve an operating margin of 8%, which it considers essential for sustainable growth and reinvestment.
In 2025, however, the operating margin fell to 1.7%, down from 3.8% in the previous year, marking a significant step backward in financial performance.
Chief Financial Officer Nina Öwerdieck described the year as disappointing but said the company remains committed to improving results in 2026.
The airline’s leadership emphasized that while passenger demand remains strong, external disruptions and internal operational challenges must be addressed to restore profitability.
Brussels Airlines aims to recover momentum in the coming year while continuing efforts to expand its network and improve efficiency across its operations.
