Brussels Airport processed 1.6 million passengers in February 2026, maintaining upward momentum in air traffic amid ongoing recovery trends. This figure aligns with January’s performance of 1,601,051 passengers, a 5.5% increase from January 2025, despite winter weather disruptions including snowstorms that prompted 40 flight cancellations and extended de-icing.
Passenger growth stemmed from post-Christmas return travel and diversions from Dutch airports, boosting arrivals. Average passengers per flight rose to 135 from 131 year-over-year, reflecting higher load factors. Transfer passengers comprised 18% of traffic, reinforcing the hub’s role linking Europe, Africa, and North America. Top destinations included Spain, Italy, Morocco, Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates.
Commercial flight movements totaled 14,007, down 0.1% year-on-year, with passenger flights up 1.7% and cargo flights down 9.4%, indicating efficient capacity use via belly cargo on passenger aircraft.
Cargo volumes reached 61,485 tonnes, up 3.5%, driven by 5.1% growth in passenger belly freight, 10% in express services, and 11.2% in trucked volumes. Imports from Asia, North America, and Africa prevailed, with strong exports to Asia and Africa. Full-freighter cargo fell 8.2%.
Building on 2025’s 24.4 million passengers—a 3.3% rise hampered by strikes—the airport sustains steady expansion.