Brussels Airlines Expands Fleet with Three A330-300s

Brussels Airlines (SN) is set to enhance its widebody fleet by adding three more A330-300 aircraft in the coming years, primarily targeting its expanding African network. This strategic move comes as the demand for flights to and from Sub-Saharan Africa continues to grow rapidly, prompting the airline to strengthen its presence in the region, reported ch-aviation.com and Lufthansa Group.

Dieter Vranckx, chairman of parent company SN Airholding, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating, “The demand for flights to and from Sub-Saharan Africa is developing at a fast pace, and it is crucial for Lufthansa Group to grow its footprint in the region. Brussels Airlines is the perfect airline to do just that, as its expertise and presence on the continent is unparalleled.”

The new A330-300s will be sourced from other Lufthansa Group carriers, which currently operate a combined fleet of A330-300s. Lufthansa operates nine of these aircraft, Discover Airlines has ten, and Swiss International Air Lines operates fourteen more. This transfer will allow Brussels Airlines to bolster its long-haul operations while maintaining efficiency within the group.

As of now, Brussels Airlines operates ten A330-300s, servicing 18 destinations across Africa, as well as flights to New York JFK and seasonal services to Washington Dulles. However, due to the range limitations of the A330-300, the airline is unable to serve southern African destinations directly, with Luanda 4 De Fevereiro in Angola being its southernmost point.

In addition to the fleet expansion, Brussels Airlines has entered into a strategic agreement as part of a transatlantic joint venture with Lufthansa Group, United Airlines, and Air Canada. This collaboration aims to position Brussels as a key hub for connecting North America with Africa, leveraging the transatlantic services provided by the two North American carriers.

Brussels Airlines is also investing EUR100 million (approximately USD111 million) in cabin refurbishments, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing passenger experience across its fleet. This investment aligns with the airline’s focus on quality service and operational excellence.

Furthermore, Brussels Airlines is participating in a newly announced strategic ACMI partnership with Lufthansa Group and airBaltic (BT). Under this arrangement, Brussels Airlines will wet-lease at least four A220-300s from the Latvian airline for the Summer 2025 season. CEO Dorothea von Boxberg stated that these A220s will replace the airline’s in-house A319-100s on select routes, as Brussels Airlines evaluates the future of its smallest narrowbody aircraft.

Currently, the airline operates a fleet of fifteen A319s, sixteen A320-200s, and five A320-200Ns, indicating a diverse range of aircraft to support both short-haul and long-haul operations.

With these strategic initiatives, Brussels Airlines is well-positioned to enhance its competitive edge in the aviation market, particularly in the lucrative African route network. The addition of new aircraft and partnerships underscores the airline’s commitment to providing quality service while adapting to evolving market demands.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa Group