In the month of April 4.4 % more passengers chose for Brussels Airlines. The European network saw an increase of 3.6 % whereas the Africa network attracted over 11 % more passengers than in April last year.

The results of April were influenced by the Easter holidays : the number of passengers flying to typical summer destinations as well as the expat segment grew, whereas the number of passengers flying for business reasons decreased slightly. In total the airline carried 508,140 passengers (+ 21,354).

The month of April is traditionally the first month of the summer season in aviation, which resulted in a number of frequency increases. As from April onwards, Brussels Airlines increased frequencies to Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Burundi, Kenya and DR Congo. This capacity increase was applauded by the market with a passenger growth of 11 % on the African network.

The number of travellers on the Brussels Airlines European network increased with 3.6 %. The seat offer to Tel Aviv grew thanks to an additional Sunday flight. Also the capacity to Moscow went up thanks to new evening flights. Compared to last year an additional frequency was also added to Budapest.

April was a busy month for the Brussels Airlines charter activities. These numbers do not reflect the passengers of charter flights that are operated on behalf of numerous Belgian and foreign tour operators to Mediterranean destinations



Brussels Airlines press release, Brussels, 9 May 2012

Growth of 4% in first quarter

The number of passengers who selected Brussels Airlines grew with 2.8% in the month of March. The load factor increased with 5.4%. During the entire first quarter of the year, Brussels Airlines registered a passenger growth of 4% and a load factor improvement of 6.4%.

Exactly 458,837 passengers flew with Brussels Airlines during the month of March 2012. This is an increase with 12,426 compared to the month of March 2011. The Africa network attracted 3.5% more passengers and the European flights registered a passenger growth of 2.7%.

The passenger growth resulted, together with an adaptation of the seat capacity, in a load factor improvement.

During the entire first quarter of 2012, Brussels Airlines was the airline of choice for 1,197,661 passengers. This is an increase of 4% (+ 45,534) passengers compared to the first quarter of 2011. During the first three months of the year also the load factor trend evolution was positive (increase with 6.4%).

These statistics do not include passenger figures of the charter flights operated by numerous Belgian and foreign tour operators to Mediterranean destinations.




Brussels Airlines, Brussels, 26 April 2012

During their last meeting and in view of the succession plan of Michel Meyfroidt, co-CEO of Brussels Airlines, the Brussels Airlines Board of Directors decided to adapt the airline’s management structure. Brussels Airlines moves away from the co-CEO structure to a single CEO, function that will be taken on by Bernard Gustin, the current co-CEO, as from 1 June.

A co-CEO who helped steer the company to the top
The Board of Directors wishes to thank Michel Meyfroidt for his loyal service, his unrivalled dedication and his professionalism. Thanks to his efforts and since the start of the company in 2002 Brussels Airlines has evolved to one of the top Belgian airlines. Furthermore, both co-CEOs together have realized the strategic partnership with the Lufthansa Group and the integration of the airline in Star Alliance, the world’s leading airline alliance.

Three new nominations
In order to adapt the company’s way of working to the market evolution and to the ever increasing competition on the level of costs, three new nominations have been done in line with the company’s three main axes of activity “operations” , “finance” and “commercial strategy”.

Operations
Everything related in any way to the airline’s operations (Maintenance & Engineering, Ground Operations, Flight Operations, Security, Safety, Quality Management and Training of flying staff) will be headed by Peter Kranich (55), COO (Chief Operation Officer) and new member in the management, reporting directly to Bernard Gustin.

Peter Kranich comes from Eurowings GmbH, 100% subsidiary of Lufthansa, where he was responsible for the operations as member of the top management. He has a vast know-how and experience in the area of operations based on more than 30 years experience in the airline sector. After the Air Force and his studies in aeronautical construction in Munich, he started his career in 1986 with German Cargo GmbH where very soon he became head of the maintenance department. In 1990 he joined Lufthansa CityLine GmbH as head of the maintenance department. From 1995 till 2002, Peter Kranich took on several key functions in Deutsche BA, a former subsidiary of British Airways, including the one of General Manager.

Finance
Brussels Airlines’ Vice President Controlling since 2008, Jan De Raeymaeker (34) will take on the function of CFO (Chief Finance Officer) for the departments Controlling, Corporate Finance, Accounting and Facilities and Purchasing. He will also be in charge of the company’s strategic plan “Beyond 2012/2013”. Jan De Raeymaeker will report directly to the CEO.

The commercial strategy
Erik Follet (52), currently Executive Vice President Strategy and Business Development, will become the airline’s CCO (Chief Commercial Officer) in charge of the commercial strategy of Brussels Airlines. He will also report to the CEO. In this function he will be heading the departments Sales Europe including Benelux, Sales Africa and Sales USA. The airline’s Cargo Sales activities, Customer Service, Pricing & Revenue Management, Marketing and Off-line Sales will also be part of his area of responsibility.

A new management structure that fosters continuity
As responsible employer and fully conscious of its important role for the Belgian economy, Brussels Airlines wants to lay down solid foundations for a sustainable future. “Thanks to this new structure, the company will increase its flexibility and its capability to swiftly react to the market, the future challenges, the many threats but also the opportunities”, says Viscount Etienne Davignon, Chairman of SN Airholding, the airline’s holding company. “I am convinced that the new team will steer the airline through the many challenges that the airline sector and Brussels Airlines in particular, will be confronted with”.

Brussels Airlines press release, Brussels, 29 February 2012

The number of passengers who selected Brussels Airlines for their air travel increased with 4.9 % in January 2012. The load factor of the airline improved with 8.9 % points.

In January 2012, Brussels Airlines welcomed 365.048 passengers on board of its intra-European and intercontinental flights. The flights to Africa registered a passenger growth of 10.7 %. On the European services an increase of 3.9 % was recorded. The Brussels Airlines passenger increase (slightly) outpaced the passenger evolution of the Belgian airports.

Brussels Airlines lowered its seat offer last month in order to anticipate the significantly lower market demand in winter. By adjusting its capacity to the seasonality, the airline could increase its passenger load factor result.

Not included in these statistics are the passenger figures of the charter flights operated by Brussels Airlines on behalf of tour operators.



Brussels Airlines, Brussels 10 February 2012

The Association of European Airlines (AEA) has today named Bernard Gustin, Co-Chief Executive of Brussels Airlines, as its new Chairman for 2012.

During his year-long chairmanship, Bernard Gustin will act on behalf of AEA’s 35 airline members which contribute €86 billion to the European economy. He will chair the association’s board and represent AEA in high-level political meetings.

“Europe is bracing itself for a turbulent 2012, therefore it is more critical than ever to have a competitive and thriving European airline industry,” said Mr Gustin. “AEA’s members want to fuel the economic recovery. To achieve this, aviation must not be used as a regulatory playground, or as an austerity cash-cow.

“Our focus for the coming 12 months will be on removing inefficiency from the system and driving external costs down. As a key priority, we urgently need Member States to deliver on their Single European Sky promises.”

But as we enter 2012, the political focus is sadly dominated by tensions over aviation’s inclusion in the EU ETS – not on the launch of landmark Single European Sky reforms which will slash emissions by 12%, reduce delay times and cut airline operating costs.

“The ETS debate is like a volcano. When the tensions erupt, it is going to be extremely damaging for European air travel. A globally acceptable solution and a shift of focus from politics back to the environment is an absolute must for 2012,” said Mr Gustin.

Mr Gustin succeeds Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Steve Ridgway, who expertly steered the association’s work during 2011.

AEA 16 January 2012