Brussels Airport welcomed 22.2 million passengers in 2023, a 17% increase over the previous year, according to figures released January 12th by airport authorities.
The passenger tally reached 84% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
Leisure Travel Rebounds
The leisure travel sector, comprised of holiday and visiting traffic, has “almost completely recovered,” the airport said.
Business travel saw clear signs of recovery as well, although increased use of video conferencing and ecological awareness have curbed growth, especially for short-haul flights.
Spain Top Destination
The top five destination countries for passengers in 2023 were Spain, Germany, Italy, Türkiye, and the United States.
Flight movements rose 7% year-over-year, boosted by a 12% increase in passenger flights.
Cargo Volumes Decline
The cargo sector fared worse in 2023, with a 10% drop in total freight volume to 700,846 tons.
Air freight specifically declined 6%, a rate “in line with global trends,” per the airport.
The top regions for import and export cargo were Asia, Africa, and North America.
Bigger Planes, Higher Occupancy
A new annual record was set in 2023 for passengers per flight, averaging 141 compared to 135 the previous year.
This resulted mainly from airlines utilizing larger aircraft and increased plane occupancy rates.
ETIAS Impact Still Years Away
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is slated to launch in May 2025.
Once implemented, the ETIAS will require visa-exempt visitors to obtain travel authorization before entering the Schengen Area.
As Brussels Airport continues its resurgence, the ETIAS could moderately affect tourist and other visitor volumes in future years.
Long-Term Travelers Take Note
The influx of 2023 passengers at Brussels Airport could have implications for long-term travelers and immigrants to the EU.
As travel recovers post-pandemic, applicants for residency permits, students seeking university enrollment, and digital nomads arranging long-term trips around Europe should factor recent growth at transportation hubs like Brussels Airport into their plans.
Immigration policies across the EU are evolving as well, with some countries tightening restrictions amid fears of illegal migration.
Outlook Cautiously Optimistic
While 2023 passenger traffic numbers show a significant rebound, Brussels Airport remains cautious in its outlook.
If global economic turbulence persists, gains could be threatened.
However, with leisure travel recovering strongly and business travel staging a modest comeback, hopes are high for continued growth in 2024.