An insight in the future of Brussels Airlines

[DanilVL]

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Brussels Airlines eyes Airbus A350 & A321neo for fleet expansion (article below)

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Source: Aviation24.be

As some may know the current fleet of Brussels Airlines didn’t change alot except for some (unique) types that left it, like the iconic AVRO and (surprising) the Sukhoi Superjet. The fleet currently consists out of A319, A320 and the A333, along with the recently addition of 3 of the 5 (total) brandnew A320neo aircraft. This makes that the fleet is slowly ageing, so the logical answer for this is looking for new aircraft types that meets the standard regulations around brussels airport and efficiency norm.
In may, they announced new insights on how their fleet could look like in the future.

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Brussels Airlines is evaluating options for fleet expansion, with a focus on the Airbus A321neo for short-haul routes and the Airbus A350 for long-haul operations, while ruling out the Airbus A330neo due to environmental restrictions at Brussels Airport.

Short-haul fleet: Airbus A321neo

In an interview with aeroTELEGRAPH, CEO Dorothea Von Boxberg has revealed that Brussels Airlines is considering the Airbus A321neo to enhance its short-haul operations. This aircraft is seen as ideal for popular feeder and tourist routes such as flights from London to Brussels, and to destinations like Nice and Malaga. The A321neo is preferred over the A321XLR due to the latter’s limited cargo capacity, which is crucial for the airline’s operations, particularly for routes to Africa where passengers typically carry significant luggage.

Long-haul fleet: Airbus A350 vs. Boeing 787

For its long-haul fleet renewal, Brussels Airlines is leaning towards the Airbus A350 over the Boeing 787. The A350 is favoured because it aligns better with the stringent noise restrictions imposed by the new environmental permit at Brussels Airport. These restrictions, which limit night landings to quieter aircraft, render the Airbus A330neo unviable due to its higher noise levels during landing.

Source and full article

Source and full article

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Although it might seem that Brussels Airlines may eye on the b787, which is unique concidering they got rid of their 737’s a while ago, chances that the A350 would be used for long haul flights is much more likely. The Lufthansa group supports Brussels Airlines’ choice for the A350, following the line of SWISS.

[whyevenbothernaming]

Interesting. I’m sure that this could allow for new routes to distant destinations in Europe, such as Scandinavia and the Balkans, and with those Airbus A350s there could be expansion towards Asia & America.

[DanilVL]

The main focus of Brussels Airlines (long haul) lies on their relatively large selection of flights to Africa. And their 2 transatlantic routes. (IAD and JFK) (especially for business and diplomatic travellers)

The amount of African travellers are increasing so I bet they focus on that part.

I think their next move in a more distant future will be Asia, as it is a growing part in the world and gets more interest in general along both sides. (mainly in business/diplomacy but also tourism(?))

Nevertheless interesting to know what plans this airline has, I felt like they were always an underdog in the LH-group. I hope that’s about to change.

[MxP]

I don’t think we’ll see Asia by Brussels. From what I understand they’ll expand in Africa and potentially even shrink in North America as a United mini-hub is planned in Brussels, which might see UA increase transatlantic by quite a margin and SN funneling all the PAX to Africa