Record choice of long haul destinations

Passengers
In June Brussels Airport welcomed 1.59 million passengers: 1.6% up on June 2009. Intercontinental traffic grew strongly. Several new destinations that were inaugurated this summer show a strong startup performance (United Airlines to Chicago, Air Canada to Montreal, Hainan Airlines to Shanghai). Older existing long haul routes also show strong load factors, to the US as well as to Asia and Africa.
Brussels Airlines started to operate four new direct routes in Africa in the beginning of July (Accra, Cotonou, Lomé and Ouagadougou). This establishes a new record : never before in history, such a broad choice of long haul destinations has been offered from Brussels Airport.

Passenger growth for the first half year remained negative (-2.6%), due to the volcanic ash cloud in April.

Cargo
Freight services (38.851 tons) have grown with 5.4% over the month of June 2009. In June again, this growth is mostly recorded with full freighter transportation and with belly freight on board passenger airliners.
In May, Hong Kong Airlines announced its intentions to start operating freighter service between Brussels and Hong Kong, via Delhi. After a startup period with 3 weekly flights, the number is increased to 6.

Aircraft movements
Brussels Airport recorded 20,704 flights in June, down a mere -1.9%. For passenger flights, this indicates a higher seat occupancy and the use of relatively larger aircraft types.

Code: Select all

June 2010                   Jun-10          Jun-09       Growth
Passengers (‘000)           1,589         1,564           1,6%
Cargo (‘000 tonnes)         38.8         36.8             5,4%
Movements (‘000)            20.7         21.1         -1,5%

Year-to-date June 2010      Jan-Jun 10      Jan-Jun 09      Growth
Passengers (‘000)            7,726         7,936         -2,6%
Cargo (‘000 ton)            237.0         226.0           4,9%
Movements (‘000)            108.8         116.2         -6,3%

Brussels Airport Press release, July 23rd, 2010

Munich Airport again on course for growth
Passenger figures up by 3 percent in first half of year

At Munich Airport the indicators are again pointing to growth: The total passenger volume in the first half of 2010 reached 15.8 million, a gain of approximately 3 percent over the previous year's level. This growth rate places Munich well above the nation-wide trend. Germany's other airports reported an average increase of just 1.5 percent. The rise in passenger traffic in Munich is even more remarkable against the backdrop of the long, hard winter, a strike by airline pilots and the effects of the volcanic eruption in Iceland. These special factors resulted in a total of about 9,000 flight cancellations, which is equivalent to a decrease of some 800,000 in total passengers. Without these cancelled flights, the growth in passenger volume would have been more than twice as high.

The significant increase in demand, which was already evident in the final quarter of last year, continued through the first six months of 2010, culminating in the best June result in the airport's history, with a 12 percent improvement on the same month a year earlier. "The negative trend is clearly at an end, and Munich Airport is again posting dynamic gains," said Dr Michael Kerkloh, the CEO of FMG, the airport operating company, who was on hand at the Munich Press Club to present the airport's half-year figures.*

In June the airport also finally experienced a return to growth in flight operations. For the first half of the year as a whole, the total number of flights still showed a negative trend, with an overall decline of 6 percent, mainly as a result of the airlines using larger aircraft. The planes operated on Munich routes had an average of eight seats more than in the previous year, and also showed improved capacity utilisation. The average load factor increased from 69 to 71 percent.

The freight segment also benefitted enormously from the resurgent economy. Never before has Munich Airport handled this much cargo in half a year: The new record is now 126,900 tons of flown airfreight, a massive 27 percent increase over the first half of 2009. The increased import and export tonnage at Munich Airport is mainly attributable to co-loaded freight on long-haul flights. The long-haul offerings of airlines in Munich is steadily increasing, with 258 intercontinental flights departing from the Bavarian capital every week for 44 destinations around the world.

Munich Airport press release, July 13, 2010

Fraport Traffic Figures – July 2010: Frankfurt Airport Reports Record Traffic
Passenger and Airfreight Volumes Increase Steadily since the Start of the Year Despite Effects of Winter Weather, Strikes and the Ash Cloud: Group Passenger Figures Jump Seven Percent in First Half 2010

Fraport AG looks back on an eventful first half 2010 at its Frankfurt Airport (FRA) home base. FRA's traffic development was slowed by several winter storms, strikes, as well as the ash cloud from Iceland at the beginning of the second quarter. However, Frankfurt Airport still recorded a 1.4 percent rise in passenger figures year-on-year – welcoming about 24.5 million passengers in the first six months of 2010. Exceeding more one million metric tons, airfreight tonnage at Germany's busiest air transportation hub increased by 32.2 percent in the first half.

Following strong performance in May 2010, FRA also registered positive traffic development in the reporting month. Indeed, three new June monthly traffic records were achieved. Frankfurt Airport welcomed more passengers, handled more airfreight, and registered more MTOWs (maximum takeoff weights) then in any previous June in FRA's history. Frankfurt Airport served some 4,851,896 passengers (up seven percent) and handled 192,508 metric tons of airfreight (up 29.9 percent) in June 2010. MTOWs hit 2,449,797 metric tons (up 4.8 percent), while the number of aircraft movements climbed by 2.7 percent to 41,159 takeoffs and landings.

Commenting on the latest traffic figures, Fraport executive board chairman Dr. Stefan Schulte said: "These numbers convincingly show that the finance and economic crisis has been overcome and that the aviation industry – despite several small traffic blips – is back on track to reaching and even exceeding the results of the pre-crisis years."

"This positive development, the future viability of Germany as an aviation hub and the positive impact of air transportation on Germany's economy should not, under any circumstances, be threatened by the introduction of an ecological aviation tax," said Schulte in response to the German government's proposal. "Balancing the German federal budget is important and appropriate. But if the aviation industry has to contribute to this task – which we think is wrong because air transportation is self-financing and receives no subsidies – then the proposed ecological tax should be considerably reduced and should not cover air cargo and transfer passenger traffic. Otherwise, air transportation with its excellent global network -- which is absolutely crucial for Germany's export-driven commerce and industry -- will be continuously weakened," stressed Schulte.

Serving some 9.2 million passengers in June 2010, the Fraport Group's five majority-owned airports -- Frankfurt (FRA), Antalya (AYT) in Turkey, Burgas (BOJ) and Varna (VAR) in Bulgaria, and Lima (LIM) in Peru – achieved 11.8 percent growth year-on-year. Cargo throughput (airfreight and airmail) advanced by 27.5 percent to 217,000 metric tons. Aircraft movements climbed by 8.3 percent to almost 75,000 takeoffs and landings.

During the first six months of 2010 these Fraport Group airports registered more than 7 percent growth in passenger traffic and a 30 percent surge in cargo tonnage. Group-wide, aircraft movements increased by 4.2 percent in the first half year-on-year – also driven by the growth in passenger figures at AYT (up 24.7 percent) and LIM (up 12.4 percent).

Traffic Data Frankfurt Airport
Traffic Data Fraport Group

Fraport press release 12.07.2010

Since June 21 the new check-in row number 14 is operational. This row will be mainly used by Jetairfly. Thanks to the opening of this new check-in row, a significant increase of check-in capacity is established.
One in three travellers from Brussels Airport is a Belgian holidaymaker. Also many Dutch and French passengers start their holidays from Brussels. Most of them will now be checking in from the new departure zone, departure hall 2. In check-in hall 2, there are now 3 check-in rows operational.

In departure hall 2 various child friendly facilities have been installed:
- A BRU-Kidz play area with an airplane slide and various toys for the smallest passengers
- A child toilet, with 2 small toilets and washbasins installed at kids high and an area to change a babies diapers. This is located opposite check-in row 11. (note the adult toilets are located opposite check-in row 14)

Brussels Airport Travel News June 2010

Thursday and Friday are expected to be very busy at Brussels Airport, but the real summer exodus starts next week. About 35,000 holiday travellers are scheduled to depart on Monday 28 June with numbers steadily growing each day to reach a record 42,000 on Friday 2 July.

An overview of the number of departing passengers per day:

Friday 25 June 36,300
Saturday 26 June 28,600
Sunday 27 June 33,800
Monday 28 June 35,000
Tuesday 29 June 36,800
Wednesday 30 June 40,300
Thursday 1 July 40,800
Vrijdag 2 July 42,000
Saturday 3 July 31,800
Sunday 4 July 38,300
Monday 5 July 37,100
Tuesday 6 July 38,700


The last record dates from 27 June 2008 when 39,704 passengers departed from Brussels Airport. On an average day Brussels Airport handles about 23,300 departing passengers.

The following weeks too promise to be extremely busy.

In anticipation of the expected rush, Brussels Airport issues the following tips and recommendations.

Leave for the airport well in time
Passengers are advised to arrive at the check-in desk two hours in advance of their departure time for short-haul flights and three hours for long-haul flights. From 4 am until past midday the departure hall will be very busy. This may also be the case in the late afternoon. During peak hours the extra time is necessary to find a parking space, for queuing at the ticketing and check-in desks, for border control and security checks and for embarking.

Liquids and gels
Since November 2006 Europe restricts the quantity of liquids and gels carried in the hand baggage. Although Europe plans to abolish these rules in 2013 they remain in full force for the time being.
Liquids, gels, foams or pastes and other items of a similar consistency are allowed in the hold baggage (which you check in) but are strictly limited in the hand baggage. Any liquids or gels you wish to carry into the cabin should be held in containers of maximum 100ml and have to be presented to the screening staff in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag of 20x20 cm, freezer bag type.

Brussels Airport strongly advises passengers not to carry any liquid or gel-like items in their hand baggage if the use thereof in the aircraft cabin is not absolutely necessary.

This restriction does not apply to tax-free goods: these may also be carried on board in larger volumes because they were thoroughly screened before they arrived in the airport shops. The tax-free goods will be put into a sealed plastic bag. The seal may not be broken until you reach your final destination. Water and other non-alcoholic drinks that were purchased beyond the security screening point may also be carried on board.

More details are available on www.brusselairport.be.

Every day about 500 kilograms of liquids and gels are confiscated at the passenger screening points. Containers that have already been opened are destroyed; unopened containers are donated to good causes. Spirits and alcoholic drinks are sold to an auctioneer’s and the proceeds are donated to a number of orphanages.

Quick check-in
No more queuing at check-in with thousands of other departing passengers. Technology is helping us to check in more quickly. With some airlines over half of the passengers use the electronic self check-in systems.

Several airlines offer internet check-in. As from 24 hours before your scheduled departure time you can print a boarding pass from the website throught which you bought your air ticket. If you only carry hand baggage, you can immediately proceed to border control. The same is true if you use one of the self check-in machines in the departures hall. Many travellers seem to believe that these have been put there for the exclusive use of the “business travellers”, but that is not the case. Moreover these machines are very easy to use and there’s always someone from the airline around whom you can ask for help.
If you also have hold baggage you can deliver your bags at the check-in desk. Most carriers have a separate desk for passengers who have checked in electronically.

Identity papers for children
Like every other passenger, children under 12 years have to carry a valid identity certificate with photograph. That may be an identity card or passport. Children’s identity cards only have limited validity. Always check the expiry date before you leave.

Passports
Do not forget to check the validity of your passport or visa. For some countries you need a passport that is still valid for several months. Make the necessary inquiries.
Please keep in mind that the procedure to apply for an identity card, passport or visa usually takes several days.

A certificate of theft/loss issued by the police is not valid for travels abroad.
If you wish to book a last-minute trip, please check first whether you have the necessary identity papers or whether there’s still enough time to obtain for them. If you’re leaving for an exotic destination, please bear in mind that you may need several days or weeks to get the necessary vaccinations.

Baggage tip
Passengers are advised to provide each piece of baggage (including hand baggage, camera bag, beauty case,…) with a label carrying their name and contact details. Also put a visiting card inside each piece of baggage. If you’re baggage gets lost, this may be the only thing the services concerned have to go by to return the bags to you.


Parking facilities
The airport has a sufficient number of parking spaces to cope with the rush of departing holidaymakers in July and August. Details on the various formulas and promotions are available on the airport website: www.brusselsairport.be

Brussels Airport press release, 24 June 2010