Brussels Airlines posts a 70 million euro operating loss in the first half of 2026 as fuel costs climb

Brussels Airlines said on Tuesday, 4 August 2026 (13 Mordad 1405), that it recorded an adjusted loss before interest and taxes of 70 million euros ($80 million) for the first six months of 2026. Despite growth in passenger numbers and revenue, the loss was 50% worse than in the same period last year.

The Belgian carrier flew 4.5 million passengers on 34,200 flights in the first half of the year, up 8.1% and 5.5% respectively from a year earlier. The airline said unrest in West Asia pushed oil prices higher and increased its fuel costs by 64 million euros compared with the first half of 2025. An Ebola outbreak in parts of East Africa also weakened travel demand, while strikes and protests in Belgium, including disruption at Brussels Airport and a work stoppage by air traffic controllers, reduced earnings by 3 million euros.

Brussels Airlines said it will suspend plans to add two Airbus A330 aircraft to its long haul fleet in 2027, keeping that fleet at 11 aircraft. It cited weaker than expected profitability, repeated strikes in Belgium and geopolitical uncertainty.