Brussels Airport pax up 8%, cargo up 6% in Mar-2014; pax growth driven by LCCs

Belgium's Brussels Airport passenger numbers up 8% - traffic highlights for Mar-2014:

• Mar-2014:
• • Passenger numbers: 1.6 million, +8.3% year-on-year;
  • Cargo volume: 40,481 tons, +5.7%;
  • Aircraft movements: 18,079, +4.8%;
• 1Q2014:
• • Passenger numbers: 4.0 million, +6.0%;
  • Cargo volume: 109,526, +6.6%;
  • Aircraft movements: 48,906, +1.6%. [more - original PR]

The airport stated (10-Apr-2014) passenger traffic in Mar-2014 was mainly driven by interest in the low-cost segment, although the airport noted that activity by full-service airlines on intra-European routes has also been successful. The airport explained, "Holiday traffic has seen a minor decrease, which can be attributed to the timing of the Easter holidays, which do not start until April, unlike in 2013. There is decreased interest in Egypt as a holiday destination, with other sunny destinations becoming more popular. Long-haul transport also fell slightly during March, again due to the shift of the Easter holidays".