In 2023, total cargo volumes through Brussels Airport amounted to 700,846 tonnes, or a 10% decrease compared to 2022. Air cargo traffic at Brussels Airport experienced a 6% decrease compared to 2022, in line with the global trend. But Brussels Airport outperforms competing European airports with this result.

The full freighter segment is down 11% from 2022. Belly cargo increased by 4.5% given the continued recovery of passenger flights. Finally, the express services recorded a 6% decline compared to 2022. Overall, global freight volumes were under pressure throughout the year due to the ongoing geopolitical situation.
 
The primary import regions in 2023 were Asia, Africa and North America. Asia also ranked first in terms of exports, followed by North America and Africa. 
 
In December cargo transport at Brussels Airport recorded a 21% decrease compared to December 2022. We also recorded a decline in the full freighter segment (-36%), express services (-15%) and trucked cargo (-27%). Belly cargo remained stable with a slight increase of 0.2% compared to December 2022.

READ: Brussels Airport encourages the use of SAF

Flights

The total number of flight movements increased by 7% in 2023 compared to 2022, to 192,257 flight movements. However, this number remains 18% lower than in 2019. The number of passenger flights increased by 12% compared to 2022. The number of passengers per flight is up from 135 to a new record of 141, due to the use of larger aircraft and an ever-increasing load factor. The number of cargo flights is down 8% compared to 2022.
 
There were 16,284 commercial flight movements during the night(between 11pm and 6am) in 2023, which is lower than in 2022 (16,616 commercial night flight movements). In addition, there were 187 helicopter flights and 102 exempted flights (military flights, government flights, etc.).
 
The independent slot coordinator allocates up to 16,000 night slots annually as stipulated by law. In 2023, the slot coordinator awarded 15,733 night slots, which complies with the legal limit. There are often operational reasons for night flights without night slots, such as delays or operational problems. The slot coordinator reports these flights every month to the DGLV in charge.
 
In December there were 14,415 flight movements at Brussels Airport, an increase of 6% compared to December 2022. The number of passenger flights rose by 11% and there was an average of 135 passengers per flight. The number of cargo flights decreased by 14% compared to 2022.