19.12.2022

Confidently into the New Year!

Traditionally, Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company, extends his wishes for the New Year to all members of the Brussels Airport community.

2022 was a year of recovery, in which we did better than expected. We are not yet at pre-crisis levels, but with 18.9 million passengers and over 64,000 tonnes of cargo, we are definitely on the right track. And despite the energy crisis and high inflation, we look to the new year with confidence. Because people will always continue to travel to experience the important moments together.

On behalf of Brussels Airport, Arnaud Feist wishes all of you fantastic holidays in good company and a happy and prosperous 2023!

Watch the video message:

Below please find a transcript of the video message:

Dear colleagues,

For Brussels Airport, 2022 has been a good year overall. We did better than expected. After two less favourable years, passenger numbers will exceed 70% of those recorded 2019. For 2022 we expect to hit the mark of 18.9 million passengers, which is more than twice the number of passengers recorded in 2021. At the same time, our cargo activities dropped only slightly after the strong growth of 2021.

The fact that we are doing so well as an airport is mainly due to the commitment of the thousands of airport employees who give it their best every day. To you, in other words. And for that I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We haven’t fully recovered from the Covid crisis yet, but we are clearly on the right track. Although the situation - especially for the first quarter of 2023 - remains highly uncertain due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, unstable energy prices and high inflation, we remain optimistic for next year as well. People will always travel to share the important moments together and our cargo operations will remain essential for swift and efficient logistics. 

Because our main mission as an airport is to connect people and communities. And ‘connecting with others' is exactly what we all crave at this time of year. The desire to celebrate the festive season together…

And that is precisely what we want to be as an airport: the place where 'together' starts. The place you fly to or travel from to spend the most wonderful time of the year together with family and friends. That is also why we have immersed the terminal in a cosy, warm end-of-year atmosphere, with Christmas trees, light garlands, and cosy corners....

Because if the past few years have taught us anything, it is how important it is to experience beautiful moments together...

And now: on to the new year!

I wish everyone warm Season’s Celebrations in good company. To those who take time off, I wish a pleasant vacation to enter the New Year with renewed energy. And to those who are working during the holidays, thank you for your commitment and effort to serve all our customers.

I wish you all and everyone dear to you, a Happy and Prosperous New Year in good health!

Arnaud