Brussels Airport (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR) is Belgium’s main international airport, located about 6.5 nautical miles (≈12 km) northeast of Brussels, in Zaventem, with parts of its land also in Machelen and Steenokkerzeel. It is a major hub and economic driver, home to Brussels Airlines, and serves a wide array of passenger and cargo airlines.
In 2024, Brussels Airport handled 23.6 million passengers, up 6.4% compared to 2023. Cargo traffic also grew, with around 733,000 tonnes processed that year — a 5% increase. The total number of flight movements in 2024 reached 198,617, driven by both more passenger flights (+4%) and the use of larger aircraft, which pushed the average passengers per flight to a record 144.
The airport is actively investing in its future: a major development plan running through 2032 includes a new intermodal hub, an expanded arrival and departure hall, and a 300-room four-star hotel. The project emphasizes sustainability, with solar panels, heat pumps, geothermal energy storage, and eco-friendly building materials.
In 2025, Brussels Airport’s summer operations posted strong numbers. In August alone, it handled 2.5 million passengers, marking a 3% increase year-on-year and benefitting from 180 direct destinations, including new routes to Atlanta and Hong Kong. Additionally, in May 2025 the airport saw 2.2 million passengers (a 5% increase vs May 2024), while cargo volumes surged 15% to nearly 68,000 tonnes.
Operationally, there are still some challenges: in February 2025, traffic dropped slightly (-1.6%) compared to February 2024, largely due to a national trade-union strike affecting airport staff.
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