Low Cost Terminal: Reaction of Brussels Airport

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"Refurbishing part of the Brussels Airport "old terminal" building into a low cost terminal is part of Brussels Airport's policy of segmentation and product differentiation, and responds to a real need from the market".

With this, Brussels Airport reacts to the press conference that was held by Belgian aviation professions federations earlier today.

The new low-cost facilities that are currently under construction make use of existing building infrastructure, and in no way expand the existing capacity.

There is a formal demand from the low cost market for an adapted infrastructure at Brussels Airport. Brussels Airport wishes to respond to this market demand.

Offering a specific low cost 'product' for low cost carriers fully fits into Brussels Airport's policy to respond to the needs of the different segments of the aviation market.

Likewise, Brussels Airport has invested in infrastructure for both short haul and long haul full service aviation, and it schedules a dedicated infrastructure that is tailored to the needs of the leisure aviation market.

In 2008, low cost represented no less than 35% of all intra-European travel; this sector is expected to serve half the intra-European market by 2015. The current market share of low cost at Brussels Airport is only 6%, while it represents 15% of passenger traffic at comparable European airports.

"We cannot ignore the needs of the fastest growing segment in the market".

Finally, Brussels Airport formally denies that it is "among the most expensive in Europe". Brussels Airport's tariffs and fares are continuously compared with those of other European airports, and are at the level of their average.

Brussels Airport press release - 29/05/2009