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In 2021, Brussels Airport welcomed almost 9,4 million passengers, which is 39% more than in the crisis year 2020, but a decrease of 64% compared to 2019. Especially in the first half of the year, the Covid crisis and the travel restrictions had a very strong impact on passenger numbers, which rose again from the summer onwards. The cargo division of Brussels Airport performed exceptionally well last year, with strong growth in all cargo segments and Brussels Airport is the main European hub for vaccine transport, with more than 800 million Covid vaccines handled since November 2020. The total cargo volume increased. by no less than 30% compared to 2020 to 843.000 tons.

“The aviation sector has been hard hit by the corona crisis for two years now, but I am pleased that we were able to achieve a strong increase in passenger numbers in 2021, especially in the second half of the year. While the start of 2021 was still heavily marked by travel restrictions and measures, the recovery started from the summer and we saw travelers return. I am therefore hopeful for the future, we notice that people want to travel and we make this possible together with all our partners in a safe way. The recovery will be gradual, but we expect this positive trend to continue into 2022. In addition, our cargo division is experiencing unprecedented growth, with a 30% increase in volumes compared to 2020. Demand for air freight was very high, and thanks to our investments, digitization and our strong cargo community, Brussels Airport was able to absorb this growth smoothly. With our expertise in the transport of pharmaceuticals, as the main hub for vaccine exports across Europe, we have played our part in the fight against Covid with more than 800 million vaccines transported over the past year, and we will undoubtedly do so in the future. will continue to do so in the coming year.”

Passenger traffic: an increase of 39% compared to 2020

In 2021, 9.357.221 passengers traveled through Brussels Airport. This means an increase of 39% compared to the crisis year 2020 (6.7 million passengers), but a decrease of 64% compared to 2019 (26.4 million passengers).

In the first half of the year, the impact of the Covid crisis was still particularly large with only 16% of the passenger numbers in 2019. From the summer, passenger numbers increased and in the second half of the year as many as 7,4 traveled. million passengers via Brussels Airport, an increase of 56% compared to the same period in 2020 but still 47% below the level of 2019. August was the best month of the year with almost 1,5 million passengers, 56% of 2019.

The top ten countries in 2021 were Spain, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Germany, Greece, France, Morocco, the United States and Switzerland, respectively. Greece and Morocco in particular showed good figures with passenger numbers exceeding 60% in 2019. The top ten destinations in 2021 were Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, ​​Malaga, Rome, Istanbul, Alicante, Milan, Frankfurt and Geneva.

In December, they welcomed 954.547 passengers at Brussels Airport, which is 182% more than in December 2020, and 50% of the number in December 2019. Passenger figures were clearly under pressure due to the worsening epidemiological situation in Europe and new restrictions. to travel and test commitments, even with a busier last week of December thanks to the Christmas break. The no-fly zone on Morocco had a negative impact on the entire month.

The top ten countries in December were Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, the United States, Turkey, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, respectively. Spain and the United States in particular showed good figures compared to 2019. The top ten destinations were Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Lisbon, Milan, Istanbul, Rome, Malaga, Frankfurt, Tenerife and Alicante, according to the report. Brussels Airport.

Also read: Thousands of useless flights to preserve time slots

Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport
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