From 2018 Brussels Airlines will become part of Lufthansa’s Eurowings Group.

At a press conference today, Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG said that after the acquisition, Brussels Airlines will operate its 23 long-haul destinations as well as 79 destinations in Europe under the umbrella of the Eurowings Group.

The brand Brussels Airlines will “over time” have “member of the Eurowings Group” added to it.

Brussels Airlines’ current fleet harmonization towards an Airbus A320 family fleet for the European network will be continued. With its fleet of 42 short- and medium-haul aircraft, including two in wetlease, and nine A330 long-haul aircraft, Brussels Airlines has significantly increased its passenger numbers.

Between 2013 and 2015, this number has increased by 30 per cent to a total of 7.5 million passengers. Medium-term investments are planned to further improve the fleet efficiency and increase the capacity on the short- and long-haul networks.

Viscount Etienne Davignon, Chairman of the Board of SN Airholding

“Over the past eight years, our collaboration with Lufthansa has proven its potential to create perspectives and safeguard jobs. More than ever, consolidation in the aviation business is key. Joining the Lufthansa Group allows us to further increase our synergies, while keeping our specificities. Operating under the umbrella of Lufthansa will help us to further strengthen our competitiveness within a tough market environment and develop our long-haul and short-haul operations. Furthermore, the Lufthansa Group power enables us to expand our Africa-reach, by positioning Brussels as the Sub-Saharan Africa Hub of the Lufthansa Group.”

At present, Brussels Airlines has more than 3,500 employees and 49 aircraft operating some 300 flights daily, connecting Brussels to over 90 premium European and African destinations and New York JFK, Washington DC and Toronto. As from March 2017 the airline will operate five weekly flights to Mumbai, India.

On long-haul flights, the airline operates an all new business class with fully-flat seats and a brand new economy class with ergonomic seats and individual inflight entertainment touchscreens. Long-haul flights are operated with Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft.

On its European routes Brussels Airlines offers the choice between Bizz&Class, Flex&Fast, Light&Relax and Check&Go.

In addition to its 23 destinations in Africa and North America, Brussels Airlines and its intercontinental partners also offer long-haul codeshare flights to the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Thailand.

Brussels Airlines was founded in 2002 and is owned by SN Airholding.

brusselsairlines.com