Brussels Airlines takes delivery of its first A320neo

Brussels Airlines takes delivery of its first A320neo

Brussels Airlines, Belgium’s national airline and member of the Lufthansa Group, has taken delivery of its first out of five new A320neo aircraft.

The A320neo is part of the airline's fleet renewal strategy to operate the latest state of the art, efficient aircraft in order to meet Brussels Airlines’ ambitious sustainability targets.

The A320neo incorporates the latest technologies, including new-generation CFM International LEAP-1A engines for more efficiency and Sharklets for improved aerodynamics, which together reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by at least 20 per cent. The aircraft is also a good neighbour at airports with a 50 per cent lower noise footprint compared to  previous generation aircraft.

The Brussels Airlines A320neo features a single class layout with 180 seats.

Equipped with the Airbus Airspace cabin, the A320neo will take the passenger experience to new highs in comfort, ambience and service. Unique and customisable lighting sets the mood for all phases of the flight, maximising passenger relaxation in the widest and quietest cabin in its class.

The new A320neo will join Brussels Airlines' all Airbus fleet of 43 aircraft, including 34 A320 Family aircraft and nine A330-300s. Perfectly sized for the European market, the new aircraft will enter into service on the carrier’s short- to medium-haul network.

With over 9,700 orders from more than 130 customers worldwide, the A320 Family is the world’s most popular aircraft.

New unique amenity kits for Brussels Airlines

After successful collaborations between Brussels Airlines and famous Belgian brands such as Natan and Rainpharma, it is now time for three eminent entrepreneurs from Ghent to design the amenity kit for business class passengers on Brussels Airlines’ long haul flights. Handbag designer Griet Aesaert, skincare expert Barbara Geusens of Nomige and artist Elisia Poelman worked together to create an exceptional item.

Brussels Airlines aims to create a boutique hotel experience in the sky. “A collaboration with three independent entrepreneurs fits perfectly. It also underlines our Belgitude, where we show the world the best of Belgium”, says Sandy Coenen, Inflight Product Equipment Manager at Brussels Airlines. “These three ladies understood perfectly what we need. They were so enthusiastic and had such a positive attitude during each interaction we had. They have different backgrounds, and a shared passion for design, style, and comfort. They created a unique collector’s item.”

The collaboration between Brussels Airlines and the craftswomen is set-up for two years. Every six months, a new design and colour will be introduced. During the collaboration, four different amenity kits will thus be revealed.

Aesaert, a timeless pouch

​Griet Aesaert of handbag label Aesaert is known for her timeless designs from high-quality Belgian leather. She created the pouch of the amenity kit. Griet has her own collection of handbags and creates tailor-made bags, fully personalized for her customers. One of the unique features of her work are the extraordinary inner linings. They give her designs a unique appearance. “Tailoring is part of our DNA. As soon as I heard about the idea to create colourful amenity kits for Brussels Airlines, I immediately thought about Elisia Poelman”, says Griet Aesaert.

​www.aesaert.be

Elisia Poelman, dreamy inner linings

​Artist Elisia Poelman likes to stimulate the imagination with her paintings. Her contribution to the amenity kit is no exception. Travelers are encouraged not only to travel physically, but also to take a trip in their imagination. The inner linings of the amenity kit are an extraction from the artwork “A tourist in a dream”, a painting by Elisia Poelman. The eye masks of the amenity kit will also be an impression of her work. A few of her artworks will soon be showcased in The Loft, a Brussels Airlines’ lounge in Brussels Airport.

​elisiapoelman.com

Nomige, tailor made skincare

​Dr Barbara Geusens, skincare expert and founder of Nomige, adds her scientific expertise to this collaboration. Nomige is known for personalized and innovative personal care products. The lip balm and lotion in the amenity kit are created especially for Brussels Airlines. “Both skincare and travelling have always been my passions. This collaboration, where my products travel the world and gain international fame is a dream coming true,” says a proud Barbara Geusens. “These products are designed specifically to take care of your skin during a long flight.”

Practical information

​Each business class passenger on Brussels Airlines’ long-haul flights to sub-Saharan Africa and the United States will soon be presented with this exclusive gift.

Brussels Airlines adds a tenth long-haul aircraft to its fleet

This brings the number of A330’s back to pre-covid level. The new aircraft allows the Belgian national airline to add Nairobi and to increase flights to Kigali.

Brussels Airlines adds a tenth aircraft to its long-haul fleet and commits to growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, its most important market. With the extra capacity, the Africa expert of Lufthansa Group reopens the route to Nairobi and increases its connections between Brussels and Kigali to a daily service. This brings the number of Brussels Airlines’ destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa to 18.

Brussels Airlines continues to invest in its intercontinental network and fleet, as a tenth Airbus A330 will become operational in the Summer of 2024.

​Travelers will thus have even more options to fly between Europe and Africa, and benefit from a direct connection between Brussels Airport and the Kenyan capital. Nairobi is not unknown territory to the airline as it already served this destination between 2002 and 2015.

Extra destination and increased flights to East and West Africa

​Brussels Airlines will not only add a new destination, the new long haul plane allows the airline to increase the flight frequency to Kigali (Rwanda) to a daily connection. To crew this A330 about 60 pilots and cabin crew members will be hired. Also on the ground extra colleagues will be recruited.

Tickets for flights between Brussels and Nairobi are on sale as of tomorrow, the first flight is planned in June 2024. It will operate six days a week during the summer schedule. In the winter schedule, the route will be flown four times weekly. During the winter, an extra direct flight to Dakar and an extra rotation to Banjul / Conakry and Monrovia / Freetown will be added to the planning.

​Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines said: “With the addition of Nairobi to our network, daily frequencies to Kigali and extra flights to West Africa, we offer more choice to our passengers travelling to and from Africa than ever. The tenth intercontinental aircraft is a clear sign of Lufthansa Group’s trust in Brussels Airlines and strengthens our role as the hub to Africa for the Group.”

 

Kevin Markette, General Manager East Africa, Lufthansa Group said:  “Kenya remains a focus market for Lufthansa Group in East Africa, largely driven by the significant increase in demand and resurgence in travel, coupled with the immense support of the local community within the region. I am pleased that we continue to grow our presence in Kenya, underlining Lufthansa Group’s commitment to Kenya and the region as a whole. With the addition of the six weekly Brussels Airlines’ flights to Nairobi, Lufthansa Group will offer 18 weekly connections to Kenya in summer 2024, including daily Lufthansa flights to the capital and five weekly direct Discover Airlines flights to Mombasa.”

About Kenya and the schedule

​Kenya has a rapidly growing population of more than 50 million. The country is renowned internationally for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves. Its leisure market is also continuously expanding, with currently more than 2 million annual tourists.

​Moreover, Kenya is referred to as the “Silicon Savannah” and became a technological epicenter attracting many start-ups innovating in the digital sector in the past decade.

Outbound flights will leave Brussels in the morning and arrive in Nairobi in the evening. Inbound flights will depart from Nairobi in the evening and arrive in Brussels in the morning.

Taking into account the connection between Frankfurt and Nairobi operated by Lufthansa, this will bring the weekly number of Lufthansa Group flights to the capital of Kenya to 13 in the summer season and 11 in the winter season.

From 1 October 2023, Business Class travellers on Brussels Airlines' long-haul flights will enjoy a gastronomic experience by Michelin-starred chef Michaël Vrijmoed

From 1 October 2023, Business Class travellers on Brussels Airlines' long-haul flights will enjoy a gastronomic experience by Michelin-starred chef Michaël Vrijmoed of the eponymous Ghent restaurant Vrijmoed**. Vrijmoed thus becomes the fourteenth Michelin-starred chef in a string of Belgian top chefs, with whom the airline has been delighting its passengers with exquisite cuisine since 2013. Belgian vegetables will take centre stage in the gourmet menus in the coming year. At Brussels Airlines, the East Flanders two-star chef succeeds chef Mario Elias.

What started ten years ago with gourmet menus by Michelin-starred chef Geert Van Hecke has grown into a true tradition for travellers on intercontinental flights with Brussels Airlines in 2023. Every year, a Belgian Star Chef creates a three-course menu based on typical Belgian recipes and ingredients. From October, these menus will be created by Michelin-starred chef Michaël Vrijmoed and rotate every three months. As in previous years, the accompanying Belgian wines are carefully selected by Master of Wine, Jan De Clercq and beer sommelier Sofie Vanrafelghem selected the Belgian, local beers.

"As a Michelin-starred chef, it is a privilege to be allowed to cook for the business class travellers of Brussels Airlines. I am following in the footsteps of Peter Goossens, one of my tutors. He served as a star chef for the airline in 2015. Through my creations for Brussels Airlines, I will introduce the world amongst others to tasty Belgian vegetables, accompanied by some East Flemish regional beers and cheeses from cheese refiner Van Tricht."

​- Michaël Vrijmoed, chef of the East Flemish restaurant Vrijmoed**

 

Second East Flanders Star Chef

​Vrijmoed began his culinary career as a sous-chef at Hof van Cleve where he was the right-hand man to top chef Peter Goossens. In 2013, he started his own restaurant in Ghent. In recent years, it has grown into one of the best vegetable restaurants in the world. After Peter Goossens, Michaël Vrijmoed is the second East Flanders chef with whom Brussels Airlines collaborates.

Philip Mortier, Inflight Product Manager, Brussels Airlines said:  "Brussels Airlines is the flying ambassador of the best Belgium has to offer. As an airline, we introduce the world to delicacies originating from our country. We are happy that with Michaël Vrijmoed we can again put our local products and recipes in the spotlight. Next to the food, our passengers also discover regional beers such as Steenuilke, Liefmans Goudenband and Adriaen Brouwer Oaked. All three are brewed by traditional Belgian breweries such as De Ryck, Liefmans and Roman."

​

Leading role for Belgian vegetables

​The fact that restaurant Vrijmoed is one of the best vegetable restaurants in the world is also reflected in the menus that Michaël Vrijmoed has created for Brussels Airlines. Long-haul Business Class travellers will be able to choose a fish or meat dish or a vegetarian alternative for both the starter and main course.

​The menu will evolve every three months to make the most of seasonal produce.

​Michaël Vrijmoed said: "Passengers can choose from two starters, one of them being my signature dish: beetroot (with Doyenné du Comice pear, mustard seed and horseradish sauce). As a main course, we serve a celeriac variation (with soil-grown chicory and crispy Jerusalem artichoke) as a vegetarian choice. There is also a choice between Pheasant (with soil-grown chicory, wild mushrooms, cranberries, pearl onions, Jerusalem artichoke, fine champagne sauce and Jerusalem artichoke puree) or Eel in Green (with herb salad and chateau potatoes). To conclude, passengers can choose from a cheese platter with East Flanders classics like Belgian Wittekop or Biloete, two cheeses from East Flanders' Lotenhulle, or Hazelnut chocolate cake with a vanilla-coffee sauce for dessert."

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Brussels Airlines expands summer programme......

Brussels Airlines is expanding its summer 2023 schedule which runs from this weekend until 28th October 2023.

 

As part of the expansion, the carrier has agreed on a wet-lease agreement with CityJet for the new summer season for two CRJ-900 aircraft. 

"This cooperation allows us to grow our fleet in a flexible manner and increase our European offer," said Jan Derycke, Head of Network Strategy & Planning at Brussels Airlines. On top of the cooperation with CityJet, two additional Airbus A320s will join the airline’s fleet. This will see Brussels Airlines' European operations grow by 10% this summer.

The CRJ-900s will seat 88 passengers and will operate daily flights to European destinations, including Bordeaux, Milan, Lyon, Geneva and Vienna.

​Jan Derycke, Head of Network Strategy and Planning, Brussels Airlines said: "In addition, we can add Billund to our network and increase frequency to and from Copenhagen and Berlin. We will also be able to serve regional (business) routes such as Hamburg and Birmingham even more. In total, we will serve nine destinations in cooperation with CityJet. Thanks to this wet-lease agreement, a smooth and broad connection with Brussels Airlines' intercontinental network will be created during the summer season."

The agreement with CityJet, one of Lufthansa Group's trusted wet-lease partners, was signed at the end of January.

"At CityJet, we are looking forward to working with Brussels Airlines in growing its network and delivering excellent service to its passengers throughout this summer season."

​Cathal O’Connell, Chief Commercial Officer, CityJet

Ten percent extra European flights

​All in all, Brussels Airlines' European operations are up by ten per cent this summer season. This is due not only to the cooperation with CityJet, but also to the arrival of two additional Airbus A320s. These aircraft will join the fleet permanently and will be deployed across the entire medium-haul network, with a focus on new leisure destinations such as Djerba and Monastir.

Derycke said: "In total, our fleet now grows to 36 medium-haul and 9 long-haul aircraft. With this fleet and network expansion, Brussels Airlines is achieving its targeted growth three years ahead of schedule."

Dorothea von Boxberg is set to become the new CEO of Brussels Airlines.

Subject to the pending resolution by the Board of Directors of SN Airholding, Dorothea von Boxberg, who is currently Chairperson of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo AG, will take over in Belgium as of 15 April, 2023. Next to her role as CEO of Brussels Airlines, she will also take on the function of "Representative of the Executive Board to the European Commission."

​Christina Foerster, Member of the Executive Board of the Lufthansa Group and Chair of the Board of Directors of SN Airholding said: "I am very pleased that Dorothea von Boxberg, an experienced and skilled airline manager from within Lufthansa Group, is assuming the leadership position at Brussels Airlines. With her extensive knowledge and broad understanding of cargo and passenger airlines, she will continue to drive the successful transformation of Brussels Airlines, Belgium's national airline in the coming years."

The long-term successor for Dorothea von Boxberg at Lufthansa Cargo is to be announced as soon as possible.

Dorothea von Boxberg (1974) began her professional career in 1999 at the Boston Consulting Group. In 2007, Dorothea von Boxberg moved to the Lufthansa Group, where she has held various management positions. From 2012, she was responsible for Customer Experience Design at Lufthansa Airline. During this time, she and her team introduced a new generation of Business Class seats. In 2015, Dorothea von Boxberg moved to Lufthansa Cargo AG and headed the Global Sales Management department. In 2018, she was appointed to the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo AG. Initially, she was responsible for global sales, network planning, product management and product development, and since 2021 she has led Lufthansa Cargo AG as Chairperson of the Executive Board.

Virtual reality and assisted flight to help people with fear of flying....

Brussels Airlines and behavioural therapists The Human Link organize new 'Fear of Flying' course

Now that the travel sector is slowly picking up speed again, people suffering from fear of flying are also seeking help more frequently. That is why behavioural therapists from The Human Link and Belgian carrier Brussels Airlines are again organizing a 'Fear of Flying' course for the first time in four years. Remarkably, participants can now be counselled using Virtual Reality (VR), which is a first. "VR makes the threshold even lower to get on an accompanied flight afterwards and give your fear a place," it is said. More than eight in 10 participants are able to travel by plane carefree after completing the course.

Last summer, people in Belgium already travelled as much as before the Covid pandemic, according to research by Statbel. And the number of plane trips to and from Brussels Airport is also gradually picking up. "Almost logically, there are again more requests for help from people with a fear of flying," says psychologist and behavioural therapist, Marieke Impens of The Human Link. "These are people from all walks of life, from teenagers to those in their seventies. And it's really not just business travellers. Think of parents whose children go abroad to study with Erasmus or people who have found a partner they love dearly and who wants to see the world. Some even work in the aviation industry and are suddenly constrained by fear."

To meet the demand, The Human Link is organizing another 'Fear of Flying' course at the end of March, in collaboration with Brussels Airlines, for the first time in four years. "The course was created back in 2006 in collaboration with the Ghent University and is scientifically based. The success rate was always above 80 per cent," says Marieke Impens. "Due to the Covid pandemic, we put the course 'on hold' for a while, but continued tweaking our approach. This has given us even more insight into how fear works and we are convinced that we can now counsel people with fear of flying even better."

Brussels Airlines and Brussels Airport launches new baggage drop off

At Brussels Airport, passengers of Brussels Airlines can make use of a new system to check in their baggage themselves. Since this summer, passengers who are checked in online can use their boarding pass to print the baggage label for their suitcase at one of the 16 kiosks at the airport and then place the baggage on one of the six luggage belts. The “Baggage drop-off" results in considerable time-saving for the passengers. The new system was gradually taken in use over the summer holidays and is now fully operational.

This summer, Brussels Airport introduced a new system to allow passengers to check in their baggage themselves at the airport. Using their boarding pass, passengers for short and medium haul destinations operated by Brussels Airlines and the other companies in the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian), can now print out their own baggage label and check in their suitcase themselves. For this, a new zone has been installed near check-in row 4, featuring 16 label kiosks and 6 bag drops where the suitcase is weighed and placed on the belt to the baggage hall. Agents of Brussels Airlines can help the passengers if assistance is desired.

​

​This Baggage drop-off offers significant time savings for passengers as more passengers can present their bags at the same time. Since more than 75% of the passengers of Brussels Airlines already check in at home and have their boarding pass with them, they can check in their suitcase and continue their journey quicker using this system. With this Baggage drop-off, up to 400 passengers per hour can check in their baggage. Passengers can of course also still make use of the manned check-in desks.

​

​This system was systematically deployed during the summer holidays and is now fully operational. During the months of July and August, already 35.000 suitcases, or almost 10% of the suitcases of the short and medium haul flights of the Lufthansa Group, were checked in using the Baggage drop-off. This is an extensive pilot during which the system will be closely monitored, with a view to expansion possibilities in the future.

Brussels Airlines & Trade Unions......

Maaike Andries, Spokesperson for Brussels Airlines issued the following statement on how the airline and trade unions are working together for a better future. "On July 4th, the management and social partners of Brussels Airlines took a closer look at the economic and market situation and the possible tracks for Brussels Airlines. It was clear that to create the right conditions for a successful future for the company, a constructive collaboration between management and social partners is crucial.

​

​During the summer months, both parties, therefore, met in a series of workshops to find common ground on workload issues. These workshops have all taken place in a constructive atmosphere, setting a new standard for collaboration between the Brussels Airlines management and its unions.

​

​Today, 23 August, a day-long status meeting takes place to again look at the market situation and the future developments, to review the work that has been done during the summer and to define the way forward, making sure to continue the constructive collaboration that was started in the workshops. Several workload-reducing and/or quality-improving initiatives have already been implemented, while others are under investigation by both parties and will be concluded in the coming months.

​

Brussels Airlines improves results.....

Brussels Airlines closes its first semester of 2022 at -89 million euro, an improvement of 38% compared to the previous year. The first months of the year were still impacted by the consequences of Omicron, while June was marked by four days of flight disruptions due to strike actions. Inflation and high fuel costs continue to influence the airline’s results, but thanks to its restructuring, the airline is set up with a competitive cost position to face the future.

In the first half of this year, Brussels Airlines welcomed 2.73 million passengers on board its flights. This is three times higher than the same period last year, when the covid pandemic and subsequent travel bans plummeted air travel demand.

​

​Brussels Airlines increased its revenue by EUR 314 million or 228% year-on-year to EUR 452 million in the first half year of 2022 (previous year: EUR 138 million), thanks to expanded flight operations and higher yields. The revenues in the first semester of 2022 were still impacted by slow demand at the beginning of the year due to the Omicron wave. Later in June, the airline faced four days of flight plan disruptions due to a national manifestation and social actions. If not taking into account the strike days, June was an EBIT-positive month, in line with the estimations of Brussels Airlines’ restructuring plan.

​

​Operating expenses went up by a total of EUR 282 million or 97% to EUR 572 million (previous year: EUR 290 million), due to higher volume and steep increases of costs.

​Nina Oewerdieck, Chief Financial Officer at Brussels Airlines said:  “Not only the strike cut deep into our results, but also the automatic indexation in Belgium has driven up our labor cost by 6% this year alone, by 8% if we consider November’s indexation. The still very high fuel price and more general inflation, combined with the strong position of the dollar make that our costs have risen substantially. The strike impact on our financials shows how crucial social peace is for our company and we are moving in the right direction on this front, creating a renewed partnership with our unions. We continue to work on improvements for the long run in order to make sure we create growth and perspective for Brussels Airlines, while safeguarding our employees’ work-life balance.”

As a result, the Adjusted EBIT in the reporting period amounted to EUR -89 million (previous year: EUR -143 million), an improvement of 38% compared to the first semester of 2021.

​Nina Oewerdieck, Chief Financial Officer at Brussels Airlines said:  "We see a big improvement of our result compared to last year and we will continue to see improvements as we have reached a very competitive cost position thanks to our restructuring program and our positive yield development. Also operationally we are performing quite well given the very challenging circumstances in the aviation sector across Europe due to the very fast recovery of the market demand. This is thanks to the efforts of all our employees as well as all our partners."

Brussels Airlines introduces a Green Fare for passengers flying from Denmark, Sweden and Norway

New fare including full offsetting of CO2 emissions introduced for passengers flying from Denmark, Sweden and Norway as pilot project.

Brussels Airlines introduces a Green Fare for passengers flying from Denmark, Sweden and Norway from August, which includes full offsetting of CO2 emissions using sustainable fuel and investment in climate protection projects. The offer comes now that the willingness for passengers to neutralize their flight has risen significantly. Since the options for CO2-neutral flying were integrated into the booking process on brusselsairlines.com, usage among customers has increased sixfold.

Brussels Airlines, together with the other airlines of the Lufthansa Group, introduce a new Green Fare for its guests booking from Denmark, Sweden and Norway on a trial basis from August 2, 2022. As a contribution to a sustainable way of flying, the Green Fare includes a full offset of the flight's CO2 emissions in the price of the flight. This is achieved by a combination of 20 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and 80 percent through investments in long-term climate protection projects. As an incentive, the Green fare also includes additional status miles and free rebooking options.

The Green Fare is now displayed alongside the familiar fares (Light, Classic, Flex) as an additional fare option in the online booking screen directly after the flight selection. The new offer is available in both Economy Class and Business Class for flights within Europe. In addition, starting in September, B2B travel partners in Scandinavia will also be able to take advantage of this new option. The test phase will last approximately six months.

Increasing success of sustainable options

​At the end of May, Brussels Airlines had already improved its sustainable offer, by integrated the options for CO2-neutral flying directly into the flight booking, simplifying the process for its customers to buy sustainable fuel, investing in climate projects managed by myclimate or opt for a combination of both.

Brussels Airlines launches new eye-catching safety video

Belgian band creates a catchy song with the lyrics of the safety instructions

Brussels Airlines has issued a new eye-catching safety video to draw the attention of passengers to the important safety briefing as well as giving them a true taste of Belgium. From now, the video will be rolled out on all of the airline's long-haul aircraft.

The national airline took the iconic Belgian band Hooverphonic under its wing for this special collaboration that saw the group write a catchy song based on the exact lyrics of the instructions. The result is a unique clip, in which the song is mixed with surrealistic images including an artistic homage to Magritte, another example of Belgian excellence. 

For years now Brussels Airlines has been a flying ambassador for Belgium, offering a selection of Belgian beers, wines and chocolates on board. And, now,  with the new video, it will bring music too! 

Hooverphonic creates a unique song for Brussels Airlines

​In order to keep drawing the attention of its passengers to the crucial safety instructions on board, Brussels Airlines has for many years now created creative videos instead of the classic safety videos. Until recently, the safety instructions were presented with a humorous animated film. Earlier the Red Devils also gave the instructions. 

The video was directed by Jan Boon and the technical part was handled by virtual reality production house Studio Regie in Merelbeke.

“The safety instructions we give on board at departure are essential. Safety is our priority but that is not a synonym for bland at Brussels Airlines. For years we have tried to attract the attention of our passengers with humour and creativity. The result of the unique collaboration with Hooverphonic is the perfect example of this. We are very happy that our Belgian pride has taken up the challenge and pulled out all the stops to create a surprising song and clip that will be going around the world from today.”

​Michel Moriaux, Head of Marketing, Brussels Airlines

Hooverphonic reveals the new song to passengers at Brussels Airport

​On 1 August Hooverphonic surprised departing passengers at Brussels Airport with a short and intimate set at one of the gates. During that set, they performed, apart from two of their own songs, the song they created for the Brussels Airlines safety video, see below. 

“When Brussels Airlines asked Hooverphonic to write a song with the text of the safety instructions, I really thought it would be impossible. But at the same time, I love that kind of challenge and we went for it. I'm glad I persevered. After a few tries, we are now ready for take-off!”

​Alex Callier, Hooverphonic

Brussels Airlines is bringing nearly 25,000 festivalgoers of more than 130 nationalities to Tomorrowland in Boom

After a two-year hiatus, Brussels Airlines is finally back to bringing nearly 25,000 festivalgoers of more than 130 nationalities to Tomorrowland in Boom. As of 13 July, more than 175 flights will depart from 69 different airports to Brussels Airport, where passengers will already feel the rhythm of the festival thanks to DJ sets amongst others.

For the 16th edition of the world's best music festival, 600,000 festivalgoers from more than 200 different countries will unite in Boom for three weekends of Tomorrowland, this year in the theme "The Reflection of Love." More than 700 artists are programmed across 14 stages. ​

Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and Boom

Brussels Airlines sold nearly 13,000 flight packages to music fans flying out of 69 different airports to Belgium for the festival, accounting for nearly 25,000 Tomorrowland passengers travelling to and from Brussels on more than 350 Brussels Airlines flights. Ten flights will be transformed into exclusive #TMLpartyflights with a live DJ set at an altitude of ten kilometres. The very first party flight brought the first festivalgoers from Oslo to Brussels yesterday evening, 13 July, in the company of the British DJ duo Goodboys. To immediately get into the mood, festivalgoers in Oslo were treated to the first of eight gate parties.

For the fourth time, Amare is bringing music lovers from around the world to Tomorrowland. Amare is one of Brussels Airlines' five Belgian Icons, an Airbus A320 dedicated to Tomorrowland. The aircraft is painted on the outside with a gigantic eagle, and also brings the Tomorrowland atmosphere inside thanks to mood lighting and a Bose music system.

"As Belgium’s home carrier, we are very proud to have been a partner of the globally renowned Belgian festival Tomorrowland for ten years already. In 2012, we organised the first 25 party flights. We also created the Global Journey packages that year, allowing international festivalgoers to combine the festival with both their hotel or camping stay and their transportation by bus, train or plane. In 2017, we unveiled Amare, a plane with a special Tomorrowland livery, entirely dedicated to the festival. And we are convinced that the future will bring even more beautiful realisations together."

​ -Michel Moriaux, Head of Marketing, Brussels Airlines

In total, 46,000 Global Journey packages were sold to festivalgoers of 133 nationalities. The five most common nationalities are American (almost 12%), German (10.5%), Spanish (over 7%), French and British (both just over 6%). Noteworthy is that 2% of the travellers are of Belgian nationality.

Brussels Airport to the rhythm of Tomorrowland

The unique Tomorrowland atmosphere continues upon arrival at and departure from Brussels Airport. Since mid-June, a beautiful Tomorrowland globe was set up on the curb (the area between the departure hall and the car park), which lights up and spins at night.

On 18th and 25th July and 1st August, DJs will be performing in the airport between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. (at Beers & Cheers, Pier A). In addition to the live music, passengers can find the clothing line by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike in the Fashion Boutique while cosmetics by Anouk Matton will be for sale in the Aelia Duty-Free shop (Pier A).

Nearly three hundred Brussels Airlines’ volunteers ensure the ultimate Tomorrowland experience

As every year, Brussels Airlines is inviting everyone to take a free ride on the Ferris wheel on the festival grounds, with a stunning view of the fairy-tale landscape of Tomorrowland and beyond.

The airline’s employees will also be present at the service desk at the festival site, so that passengers can make adjustments to their flight or get the right information about their trip right away and at the festival.

In order to offer its passengers a carefree return journey after a fantastic Tomorrowland experience, Brussels Airlines has once again set up a mobile bag drop-off at the DreamVille campsite. Partygoers travelling back by plane can already check in their luggage at the campsite and therefore do not have to carry their suitcases and tents to the airport themselves.

“After two postponed editions, dozens of Brussels Airlines employees have been working hard for months to provide music lovers with an exceptional experience. In addition, during the festival weekends we can count on almost three hundred volunteers who will ensure that the festivalgoers have a carefree weekend. This starts with the ordering of their tickets, the departure from their home countries, during the festival itself until their return home. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the ultimate festival experience for the hundreds of thousands of People of Tomorrow, some of whom have been eagerly awaiting it since January 2020.”

​ -Hind Hameurlaine, Manager Strategic Partnerships, Brussels Airlines

Red Flames fly in on Brussels Airlines.......

Today, Brussels Airlines’ Trident brings the Belgian national football team, the Red Flames and its delegation to Manchester for the European Championship in England. As the official airline of the Red Flames, Brussels Airlines is proud to bring the women’s team to the European Championship for the first time.

On board of flight SN1045 are the 23 selected players, accompanied by coach Ives Serneels, the Belgian Football Federation staff and a delegation of Belgian media. Trident took off at 11.30 am and has arrived in Manchester at 11.40 local time.

Peter Gerber, CEO of Brussels Airlines said:  “As Belgium’s home carrier it is our honour to bring the Red Flames to such an important tournament. I am a big fan of the team myself and hope they will return with us to Belgium as late as possible, with the trophy. I call upon everyone at Brussels Airlines and all Belgians to cheer them on with every fibre of their being.”

Manu Leroy, Marketing and Communication Director of the RBFA said: "We are very happy to have in Brussels Airlines a partner that allows our Red Flames and their staff to travel on the same plane as the Belgian Red Devils. Thanks to these ideal flight conditions, our team will arrive in England in the best possible way just a few days before their first game of the European Championship."

Brussels Airlines pilots and cabin crew set to strike next week....

The harmonious atmosphere in Belgium will be broken by news that cabin crew and pilot unions at the Lufthansa owned local carrier, Brussels Airlines are calling for strike action of the duration of a European Summit in the city later this month.

ACV Puls trade union spokesperson said the carrier had laid off staff during 2020 because of a restructuring instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic and not adequately restaffed the airline causing disruption and excessive flying hours. "The workload is too much. In some cases, there are cabin crew doing 18 flights in five days. If you are too tired, there is a problem of safety."

Leaders from across the EU will be in Brussels to discuss the possibility of granting Ukraine European Union candidacy status over Thursday and Friday of next week and the unions are planning to strike on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

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Brussels Airlines restarts routes to Guinee and Burkina Faso

This brings the number of Brussels Airlines destinations in 

Sub Sahara Africa to 17

After two years of absence in the markets, Brussels Airlines returns to Conakry and Ouagadougou. Both destinations welcome a first flight today out of Brussels. From now on, Brussels Airlines will connect Brussels with both capitals three times a week.

“As the Africa expert we are very happy to again expand our market position in our most important continent. We have been able to rehire many of our previous employees which means we immediately have the experience that is needed to restart our direct connection between two important African capital cities: Conakry and Ouagadougou and our home base, Brussels Airport. This is an important step that once more confirms our important role as gateway between Europe and Africa.”

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​- Philippe Saeys-Desmedt, Head of Sales Sub Sahara Africa for Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Group

Ambassadors for Belgium and Minister of Transport welcome Brussels Airlines

In Ouagadougou, Mahamadou Zampaligre, Minister of Transport and Jean-Jacques Quairiat, Ambassador for Belgium in Burkina Faso, welcome the Belgian carrier with great enthusiasm.

"As the ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Burkina Faso, I am delighted to see the planes with the colours of Brussels Airlines crossing the sky of Burkina Faso again and more particularly, treading the ground of the international airport of Ouagadougou. This new offer should boost economic exchanges between our two countries. Moreover it is a reminder of the close ties between Burkina Faso and Europe as Brussels hosts several of its institutions, as well as a plethora of international organizations.”

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​ -Jean-Jacques Quairiat, Ambassador for Belgium in Burkina Faso

In Conakry, the Brussels Airlines crew and passengers will be welcomed by the Belgian ambassador in Guinee, Guy Hambrouck, and by the local Brussels Airlines team of country manager Khadiatou Bah.

About the destinations and the schedules

Burkina Faso, “Country of Honest People” is located in West Africa, in the Sahel area, with a total population of 20 million. The capital Ouagadougou, often referred to as “Ouaga”, counts 3 million inhabitants. Burkina Faso is renowned internationally and in Africa for its cultural life.

Conakry is located at the coast of Guinea in West-Africa. It has a population of 3,5 million while the country counts a total of about 13 million inhabitants.

Brussels Airlines started flying to Conakry for the first time in 2002, the same year the airline was born.

Flights between Brussels and Ouagadougou and Brussels and Conakry will be operated on an Airbus A330. The early arrival in Brussels offers connection options to the entire Brussels Airlines network in Europe and the US.  

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Brussels Airlines axes 148 flights to ease workloads and hires more cabin crew

Brussels Airlines has axed 148 flights as it struggles to cope with the demand and staff shortages that have caused mass disruption in recent days. 

Maaike Andries, Spokesperson for Brussels Airlines issued a statement for the Lufthansa Group airline indicating that it was axing those flights in consultation with staff who said the workload was now too great to cope with. The carrier is axing certain flights where there are sufficient alternatives available to passengers.

"​We have had a very successful recruitment campaign in recent months to enable our growth this summer. In particular, 225 additional cabin crew members have been hired, many of whom have experience at Brussels Airlines. The airport staff and the maintenance department have also recruited extra staff members. No flights were cancelled due to staff shortages. The proposed flight schedule was fully in line with the workforce and within the agreements of the current CLA.

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​The cancellation of 148 flights will have an impact on less than 1% of the passengers, who will be contacted by the airline on Thursday, June 9, via e-mail and text message and will immediately receive the details of their new flight. If the customer is not satisfied with the proposed alternative, we will look at other solutions together. Finally, if no solution is found, the passenger can always request a refund.

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​We hope that the discussions with the social partners can still be continued in order to find effective solutions for the coming summer. A strike at the beginning of the summer would come at the worst possible time for our passengers, for all our colleagues and for our company which is still trying to climb out of the red every day."

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Brussels Airlines is creating a new uniform for its cabin crew, pilots and airport staff.......working with Gabrielle Szwarcenberg at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

As part of its new brand identity, Brussels Airlines is creating a new uniform for its cabin crew, pilots and airport staff. The Belgian airline is partnering with the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, where second-year student Gabrielle Szwarcenberg emerged as the winner among five students who each drew three signature items in a competition to become the designer of the complete Brussels Airlines uniform. With this collaboration, Brussels Airlines wants to show even more of its Belgian DNA and promote the Belgian fashion scene worldwide.

Belgian cooperation

As of summer 2023, Brussels Airlines’ cabin crew, pilots and airport staff will wear a new uniform. To design the uniform, the airline partnered with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. After surveying the staff about their needs and preferences, five promising students from the academy were selected and briefed to convey the new brand identity in the design of a new uniform.

"The Fashion Department of theRoyal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp is internationally renowned in the fashion world. The academy exudes quality and Belgitude, making it the ideal match for Brussels Airlines. With this collaboration, we want to support emerging talent and offer the Belgian fashion scene a worldwide stage"

​Michel Moriaux, Head of Marketing at Brussels Airlines

“Although the Antwerp fashion department is primarily focused on artistic and experimental subjects and we are overloaded with requests for collaborations year after year, we were instantly inclined to say yes to the partnership with Brussels Airlines because it is a Belgian icon. It gave the students the opportunity to discover another side of the fashion spectrum and to translate this into a concrete project. We are very proud of our promising student Gabrielle Szwarcenberg.”​Katarina Van Den Bossche, Fashion Design teacher 2nd year & coordinator of the Antwerp Fashion Department SHOW

Comfortable, modern and classy

With its new branding, launched in November last year, Brussels Airlines got a fresher look and logo, highlighting the diversity and Belgian character of the airline. Now the staff of Brussels Airlines will get to wear a uniform that emphasizes the same values.

"We listened carefully to our uniform-wearing colleagues about what they want and expect from their uniform. Their comfort is very high on the list of priorities in this process, but sustainability and inclusiveness also play an important role. We want everyone to feel good in their uniform and to be able to be themselves. We are impressed with what we have seen from Gabrielle Szwarcenberg and look forward to develop the uniform with her.” ​Barbara Fleury, Uniform Coordinator at Brussels Airlines

"The fact that I was selected out of the insanely talented creatives in the Antwerp Fashion Department is already an honour, but to have been chosen the winner is mind-blowing to me. I am so thrilled to get the opportunity to completely redesign the airline aesthetic with a fresh new design perspective; and especially for such an iconic Belgian company as Brussels Airlines." ​Gabrielle Szwarcenberg, second year student at the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp

 

In the coming months, Brussels Airlines and Gabrielle Szwarcenberg will design all the pieces of the uniform and choose a supplier to produce them. The new uniform will be presented in spring 2023.

 

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