High fuel prices, an Ebola outbreak in East Africa, and strikes by third parties led Brussels Airlines to have a difficult start to 2026, with an adjusted operating loss of 70 million euros. This represents a 50% decline compared to the same period last year.

In response, the airline has scrapped its fleet expansion plans. The addition of 2 additional long-haul Airbus A330 aircraft to the fleet in 2027 will not take place.

Fuel costs rose by €64 million

In the first half of 2026, Brussels Airlines carried 4,5 million passengers on 34,200 flights, representing increases of 8% and 5,5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Revenue also rose by 9% to 821 million euros.

However, due to the unrest in the Middle East and its impact on oil prices, Brussels Airlines’ fuel costs were 64 million euros higher than in the same period last year. For Q1 2026 alone, fuel costs per available seat-kilometer were approximately 14% higher than in the same period in 2025.

A measure of caution is built in

Due to these disappointing financial results, Brussels Airlines has been forced to adopt a cautious approach. In consultation with its parent company, the Lufthansa Group, it has been decided that the planned expansion from 11 to 13 Airbus A330 aircraft by 2027 will not proceed.

In addition, Brussels Airlines will also discontinue its wet-lease operations with Air Baltic starting in the summer of 2027. The 4 aircraft used for additional vacation flights will continue to operate out of Brussels until the end of October.

Cabin upgrade is happening

However, the rollout of the cabin upgrade across the long-haul fleet – an investment of 10 million euros – will continue as planned. Brussels Airlines plans to introduce these new cabins for Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class in 2027.

The investment pays for itself in a relatively predictable way through higher ticket prices for existing seats, unlike a fleet expansion, which depends on uncertain demand growth in a challenging geopolitical context. At the same time, Brussels Airlines competes on long-haul routes – especially to Africa and North America – with airlines that often already offer more modern cabins.

Summer will be crucial; Lufthansa is also seeing a decline in profits

“We’ve weathered quite a few storms, but this summer will be crucial if we want to achieve positive results by the end of the year,” says Chief Financial Officer Nina Öwerdieck. “We have more flights than last year. That means we should be able to post stronger results if we can continue to operate without too many disruptions.

Parent company Lufthansa also saw its profits plummet. The company’s net profit was 88% lower than last year, coming in at 123 million euros. Although revenue rose by nearly 8% to 11,1 billion euros – thanks mainly to flights to Asia – net profit was 88% lower than last year, coming in at 123 million euros.

Here, too, high fuel costs (+40% compared to the same period last year) and strikes harmed Q2 financial results. Lufthansa spent nearly 750 million euros more on fuel than last year, while strikes by pilots and cabin crew in April resulted in approximately 200 million euros in additional costs.