Whether you are landing at the sleek terminals of Zaventem or the bustling hub of Charleroi, here is the “dopamine-driven” breakdown of the numbers, the trends, and how Belgium stacks up against its neighbors in the Netherlands.

The Passenger Pulse: 2019 vs. 2024 vs. 2025

The recovery journey has been a steep climb, but 2025 marks the year where the “Post-COVID” era finally stepped out of the shadow of 2019.

Brussels Airport (Zaventem)

The flagship gateway of the capital is nearing its historic peaks. While 2019 remains the “gold standard” for total volume, 2025 has seen a massive surge in long-haul connectivity.

• 2019 (Pre-COVID): 26.4 Million passengers.
• 2024 (Recovery): 22.2 Million passengers.
• 2025 (The Boom): 24.5 Million passengers.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport

If Zaventem is the steady giant, Charleroi is the rocket ship. This airport didn’t just meet its pre-covid stats; it shattered them.

• 2019 (Pre-COVID): 8.2 Million passengers.
• 2024 (Recovery): 9.4 Million passengers.
• 2025 (The Boom): 10.1 Million passengers.

The Verdict: While the main hub is at 93% recovery, the low-cost sector in Belgium is operating at 123% of its pre-pandemic capacity. Tourism isn’t just back—it’s more accessible than ever.

Official Data Source: You can track these live updates and monthly reports via the Brussels Airport Official Traffic Results.

Comparison: Belgium vs. The Netherlands

How does the “Heart of Europe” compare to the “Gateway to Europe”? Our neighbors in Amsterdam are seeing similar record-breaking trends, though with different constraints.

According to the Netherlands Airport Guide 2025-2026 Visitor Stats, Amsterdam Schiphol remains one of the busiest hubs in the world.

• Amsterdam Schiphol (2025): Projected to handle 64-66 million passengers.
• The Trend: Much like Brussels, Schiphol is facing capacity caps due to environmental regulations. This has led to a “spillover” effect where travelers are increasingly choosing Belgian airports for better deals and less congestion.

While Amsterdam remains the larger hub, Belgium is winning on growth percentage, particularly in the leisure and “city break” sectors.

Why the Boom? The 2025 Vibe

Why are people flocking to Belgium now more than in 2019?

1. Experience-First Travel: Travelers are swapping “things” for “memories.” Belgium’s festivals (Tomorrowland, Rock Werchter) and its world-class culinary scene are major magnets.
2. New Routes: 2025 saw the introduction of direct flights from emerging markets in Asia and expanded routes from North America.
3. The “Slow Travel” Pivot: Brussels has become the perfect jumping-off point for high-speed rail to Paris, London, and Amsterdam, making it a strategic “home base” for Euro-trips.

Navigating Your Arrival: Local Expert Tips

Landing is just the beginning. Whether you are arriving for business in the EU quarter or a chocolate tour in Grand Place, knowing your transport options is key to keeping that vacation buzz alive.

Arriving at Brussels Airport (Zaventem)

Located just 12km from the city, this airport is incredibly convenient. However, with 24 million people moving through, the train station can be a maze. For a seamless transition, many travelers now opt for pre-booked luxury.

• Guide: How to travel from Brussels Airport to the City
• Pro Tip: Book a private transfer to skip the taxi queues and head straight to your hotel in a climate-controlled ride.

Arriving at Charleroi (Brussels South)

Don’t let the “Brussels” in the name fool you—it’s about a 50-minute drive to the capital. Since this airport is seeing record-breaking growth, the shuttle buses are often packed to the brim.

• Guide: Navigating Charleroi Airport to Brussels
• Pro Tip: For families or groups, a private transfer from Charleroi is often the most cost-effective and stress-free way to reach the city center without lugging suitcases onto a bus.

Summary Table: The Comeback at a Glance

Belgium is officially open, vibrant, and more connected than ever. Whether you’re here for the medieval architecture of Ghent or the neon lights of Brussels, the 2025 stats prove that the world is ready to fall in love with Belgium all over again. Welcome to the heart of the action!

The post Belgium Flight Statistics: The Great 2025 Comeback (Pre-COVID vs. Post-COVID) appeared first on Brussels Guide.

You are therefore kindly asked to contact your airline if you are supposed to depart from Brussels or any other airport in Belgium in this period to find out what to do, and most airports kindly ask you not to travel to the airport, because they will not be able to help you any further there.

Be aware of the fact that there are not always the same messages written about the strike online, because on the website of Brussels Airport they claim that the strike starts at 10.00 on December 14th and will last until 10.00 on December 15th, while Charleroi Airport claims that the strike will only cause problems on December 15th.

Make sure to contact your airline in case you are affected!

December 14th, 14:45 update

Based on timetables on the Internet sites of both Brussels Airport and Charleroi it seems as if all flights departing and arriving before midnight on December 14th will operate as normal, but all flight traffic on December 15th will be cancelled. In other words, the flights on December 14th will go as normal, and not as written by Brussels Airport earlier that all flights from 10.00 on December 14th will be cancelled, but only flights arriving or departing on December 15th will be cancelled!

The post Strike stops air-traffic in Belgium appeared first on Brussels Guide.