Brussels Airport Company reported on 15 February that passenger numbers in January 2026 rose 5.5 % year-on-year to 1.6 million, while flown cargo grew 2.4 % to 61,485 tonnes. The hub—a key connector for multinational headquarters clustered around the Belgian capital—also noted an 18 % share of transfer passengers, underlining its strategic role linking Europe with Africa and North America.
Growth came despite two winter-weather events that forced 40 flight cancellations and lengthier de-icing cycles earlier in January. Management said additional diversions from Dutch airports during snowstorms partly offset lost capacity and drove a 4-point jump in average load factor to 135 passengers per flight.
On the cargo side, express services (+10 %) and belly freight in passenger aircraft (+5 %) out-performed the dedicated freighter segment (-8 %), illustrating airlines’ pivot to more fuel-efficient mixed operations. Trucked cargo surged 11 %, reflecting the airport’s growing role as a Benelux logistics gateway feeding cross-border e-commerce flows.
![Brussels Airport Starts 2026 on a High Note Despite Weather Disruptions]()
As international traffic through Brussels rises, travellers can streamline visa and passport formalities by using VisaHQ’s online services, which include real-time application tracking, corporate account management and guidance for Belgium as well as onward destinations. Full details are available at https://www.visahq.com/belgium/
For corporate mobility planners the figures are a reminder that capacity in and out of Brussels is expanding, but still vulnerable to weather shocks and neighbouring-state diversions. HR teams arranging international assignments should build contingency time into itineraries during the February–March snow window and monitor airline comms for rapid-response slot reductions.
Looking ahead, airport CEO Arnaud Feist confirmed that the long-planned remote-tower project will enter testing in Q2 2026, potentially boosting resilience by enabling flexible runway operations during adverse conditions.
Growth came despite two winter-weather events that forced 40 flight cancellations and lengthier de-icing cycles earlier in January. Management said additional diversions from Dutch airports during snowstorms partly offset lost capacity and drove a 4-point jump in average load factor to 135 passengers per flight.
On the cargo side, express services (+10 %) and belly freight in passenger aircraft (+5 %) out-performed the dedicated freighter segment (-8 %), illustrating airlines’ pivot to more fuel-efficient mixed operations. Trucked cargo surged 11 %, reflecting the airport’s growing role as a Benelux logistics gateway feeding cross-border e-commerce flows.
As international traffic through Brussels rises, travellers can streamline visa and passport formalities by using VisaHQ’s online services, which include real-time application tracking, corporate account management and guidance for Belgium as well as onward destinations. Full details are available at https://www.visahq.com/belgium/
For corporate mobility planners the figures are a reminder that capacity in and out of Brussels is expanding, but still vulnerable to weather shocks and neighbouring-state diversions. HR teams arranging international assignments should build contingency time into itineraries during the February–March snow window and monitor airline comms for rapid-response slot reductions.
Looking ahead, airport CEO Arnaud Feist confirmed that the long-planned remote-tower project will enter testing in Q2 2026, potentially boosting resilience by enabling flexible runway operations during adverse conditions.
