New traffic figures released on 14 November show that Brussels Airport handled 2.23 million passengers in October 2025—a 6 % year-on-year rise—even after a one-day nationwide strike forced the cancellation of all outbound flights on 14 October. Cargo volumes told an even stronger story, soaring 25 % to 80,638 tonnes as long-haul capacity returned and Asian trade lanes firmed.
The passenger rebound was fuelled by the mid-term school holidays, when more than 1.2 million travellers passed through the terminal. Business-class bookings rose sharply on the Brussels-Frankfurt and Brussels-London sectors as financial-services firms resumed in-person client visits. Average aircraft load factors hit 151 passengers, up three points versus last year.
![Brussels Airport Reports 6 % Passenger Growth and 25 % Cargo Jump in October Despite Strike Turbulence]()
On the freight side, belly-hold cargo benefited from expanded intercontinental schedules, boosting volumes by 53 %. Full-freighter movements also posted a handy 7 % gain. The figures underscore Belgium’s role as a life-sciences logistics hub: pharmaceuticals and high-tech components accounted for nearly half of outbound tonnage.
Yet the strike shadow looms large. Airport management estimates that the six strike days recorded in 2025 have disrupted roughly 250,000 passengers and cost the Belgian economy €150 million. With rail and bus unions threatening coordinated actions later this month, corporates are evaluating alternative routings via Amsterdam Schiphol or Paris CDG for time-critical travel.
Global mobility teams should monitor potential schedule changes as unions finalise strike calendars. Brussels Airport says it can re-accommodate most passengers within 24 hours, but warns that limited hotel capacity near Zaventem could become a bottleneck if walk-outs multiply during the Christmas peak.
The passenger rebound was fuelled by the mid-term school holidays, when more than 1.2 million travellers passed through the terminal. Business-class bookings rose sharply on the Brussels-Frankfurt and Brussels-London sectors as financial-services firms resumed in-person client visits. Average aircraft load factors hit 151 passengers, up three points versus last year.
On the freight side, belly-hold cargo benefited from expanded intercontinental schedules, boosting volumes by 53 %. Full-freighter movements also posted a handy 7 % gain. The figures underscore Belgium’s role as a life-sciences logistics hub: pharmaceuticals and high-tech components accounted for nearly half of outbound tonnage.
Yet the strike shadow looms large. Airport management estimates that the six strike days recorded in 2025 have disrupted roughly 250,000 passengers and cost the Belgian economy €150 million. With rail and bus unions threatening coordinated actions later this month, corporates are evaluating alternative routings via Amsterdam Schiphol or Paris CDG for time-critical travel.
Global mobility teams should monitor potential schedule changes as unions finalise strike calendars. Brussels Airport says it can re-accommodate most passengers within 24 hours, but warns that limited hotel capacity near Zaventem could become a bottleneck if walk-outs multiply during the Christmas peak.
