25 years ago, on November 7, 2001, the Belgian airline Sabena went bankrupt. To prevent Belgium from being left without national air service, Sabena’s regional subsidiary, Delta Air Transport (DAT), was quickly relaunched as SN Brussels Airlines.

It officially began operations under the new brand name Brussels Airlines following a merger with Virgin Express in 2007. Nearly 20 years later, it’s fair to say that Brussels Airlines – now part of Lufthansa – has laid a solid foundation for recovery and gradual renewal.

After a difficult spring marked by high costs, the airline is back in the black thanks to a stellar summer. It is now fully focused on operational punctuality, new destinations and quality.

Record result

In the third quarter, Brussels Airlines posted an adjusted operating profit (EBIT) of 84 million euros – a record result. This figure is 23,5% higher than during the same period last year and 6% higher than the previous record set in the summer of 2024. Its revenue reached 577 million euros in the third quarter, up 11,6% from the same period in 2025.

These strong summer figures are primarily due to additional capacity and stable flight operations. In July, August, and September, the airline welcomed 2,9 million passengers on more than 20,000 flights, averaging about 143 passengers per flight. This represents growth of 3,5% and 1,7% respectively, compared to the same period last year.

Operating loss reversed

Overall, the airline experienced few disruptions to its flight operations, resulting in a 14% decrease in costs related to flight irregularities per passenger. However, the number of employees fell by 6,5%, from 3,778 to 3,534.

The first half of the year was nevertheless difficult for Brussels Airlines, with geopolitical tensions driving up fuel prices. The airline also had to contend with an Ebola outbreak in East Africa and social unrest in Belgium.

This led to an operating loss of 70 million euros in the first half of 2026, but that was ultimately turned around into an adjusted profit of 15 million euros over the first 9 months.

Lower profit forecast for Lufthansa

For the fourth quarter, the airline also expects improved results, though it remains cautious, given geopolitical uncertainty and high fuel prices.

For example, parent company Lufthansa has lowered its profit forecast for this year due to higher fuel costs resulting from the war in Iran – a move that Ryanair also made. The German company expects its fuel bill for 2026 to total 9.3 billion euros, citing an unchanged geopolitical situation.

Lufthansa, which says there was particularly strong demand for flights to Asia and North America, now expects adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to range from 1,7 billion to 2 billion euros. Previously, the upper limit of that forecast was 2,2 billion euros.

“We have improved our results compared to last year, despite higher fuel costs that reduced our quarterly earnings by more than half a billion euros,” said Chief Financial Officer Till Streichert. “We are satisfied with that.”

TAP deal signed

At Lisbon International Airport yesterday, Lufthansa and the Portuguese government also formalized the acquisition of TAP Air Portugal through a contract. Gaining market share in air traffic between Europe and Latin America was of “strategic importance” to Lufthansa.

By adding TAP to its network, Lufthansa’s market share will rise from 9 to 20%. The acquisition of a stake in TAP – initially 44,9% – still requires formal approval from regulators.