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SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express welcomed eight percent more passengers in 2006
SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express welcomed 8 percent more passengers last year. In total 5.942 million passengers flew with the largest Belgian aviation group from or to Brussels Airport. This is over 416,000 more than in 2005. 3.957 million customers opted for the SN Brussels Airlines full service offering while Virgin Express low fare flights attracted 1.985 million passengers.

SN Brussels Airlines saw the number of customers on board its own flights and on flights operated by partner airlines rise from 3.697 to 3.957 million (*) in 2006. Virgin Express low fare tickets were bought by 1.830 million customers in 2005 and by 1.985 million in 2006.

The largest Belgian aviation group therefore welcomed 416,000 additional passengers in total on flights from and to Brussels Airport. This is a rise of eight percent compared with 2005. The Brussels Airlines group clearly sets the tone at its Brussels Airport home base through these growth results.

The growth in passenger numbers was achieved through the introduction of very competitive low fare price actions, optimisation of the range of flights and improved use of the two airlines’ fleet of aircraft. The efforts not only led to an increase in the number of passengers; the aircraft seat occupancy rate also rose.

Expansion in 2007

On 25 March 2007 SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express make way for Brussels Airlines which will launch two new product formulas, the b.flex ‘all in’ travel solution for time-sensitive business travellers and b.light for people who want to travel on a low fare. The low fare offer from 49 euros one way will be offered by Brussels Airlines on fifty European destinations, and this is clearly appreciated by the customers. The first booking results for the new travel formulas are very positive. Brussels Airlines also expects passenger numbers to grow further in 2007.
Eastern Europe

The range of flights will be developed further in 2007. Growth plans exist for both the European and intercontinental networks.

Because Germany is the President of the European Union as of today, five iso four daily flights between Brussels and Berlin city airport Tempelhof will be in place from next week. Moreover, the number of flights to Eastern Europe is being increased significantly. Extra daily frequencies will be offered and large aircrafts used on the Brussels-Budapest route from February. The flight frequencies will also be increased on the popular Brussels-Prague connection. Brussels Airlines is further investigating the possibility of linking the European capital with Cracow (Poland) from the summer.

(*) The passenger statistics date from Friday 29 December and could still change very slightly depending on the exact number of passengers on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 December. The SN Brussels Airlines figures include both passengers that flew on SN aircraft and passengers who bought a ticket via SN for a flight with a partner airline. Vicky Karantzavelou - Tuesday, January 02, 2007