Brussels Airport has received a boost in its low-cost carrier route network. New routes have been added by both Ryanair and easyJet to a range of European destinations, and some further afield.

While the flight shaming movement is on the rise in Europe, low-cost carriers aren't letting this get them down. Ryanair, in particular, is attempting to prove how environmentally friendly the low-cost model can be in comparison to full-service carriers. As such, along with other airlines, the low-cost industry is continuing to evolve its networks to make the most of varying passenger demands. Let us take a look at some of the new routes.

Ryanair

Let's start by taking a look at Ryanair. The European low-cost giant is based in Ireland, although its main hub is London Stansted. Founded on the ideologies of Southwest, Ryanair is credited with bringing the low-cost model to Europe. But what about Brussels?

According to anna.aero, Ryanair has launched four new routes from Brussels Airport for the Winter 2019-2020 season. The four destinations are Essaouira (Morroco), Catania (Italy), Seville (Spain), and Krakow (Poland). The routes to Krakow and Seville are already served by Ryanair from Brussels Charleroi, but will now also be flown from Brussels Airport.

easyJet, Ryanair, Brussels Airport
Ryanair has launched four routes from the Belgian capital. Photo: Tom Boon - Simple Flying

easyJet

Brussels Airport hasn't only seen low-cost routes added by Ryanair, however. easyJet is based out of London's other low-cost airport, Luton. It was launched to compete with Ryanair and wasn't particularly popular with the Irish LCC. Indeed, intending to prompt a price war, Ryanair once drove a tank to Luton Airport.

easyJet has launched a connection between Brussels Airport and Berlin's Tegel airport according to anna.aero. From 2020, Europe's orange themed low-cost carrier will fly twice per day between the two destinations. easyJet will face direct competition from Brussels Airlines on the route, while Ryanair flies from a different Berlin airport.

easyJet, Ryanair, Brussels Airport
easyJet has launched a connection with Berlin. Photo: Jo Bailey - Simple Flying

About Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport serves the Belgium capital of the same name. Like many European airports, Brussels' history begins World War 2. The German Luftwaffe established the Fliegerhorst Melsbroek on the site.

Following World War 2, the airfield was developed as another airfield, Haren, was becoming too small. The runways were expanded, and a new terminal building was constructed. In 2018 the airport handled 25,675,939 passengers. These were spread across 235,459 flights at the airport. This works out as around 109 passengers per aircraft, although some will have more and some will have fewer.

Have you flown to Brussels Airport? Would you use the new LCC routes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!