Higher fuel costs linked to the U.S.-Iran war, the Ebola outbreak in East Africa and strikes in Belgium outweighed passenger and revenue growth, while 2027 fleet expansion plans were halted.
Brussels Airlines reported an adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, loss of €70 million ($80.65 million) for the first half of 2026, a 50% decline from a year earlier, as higher fuel costs, an Ebola outbreak in East Africa and strikes weighed on results despite traffic and revenue growth. The carrier flew 4.5 million passengers on 34,200 flights in the period, up 8.1% and 5.5% respectively, while revenue rose 9.5%. It said fuel costs increased by €64 million year-on-year because of oil price volatility tied to the U.S.-Iran war. The Ebola outbreak declared in East Africa in May reduced travel demand and created crew scheduling and operational challenges at affected destinations. Strikes at Brussels Airport in March and May, along with a strike by Belgian air traffic controllers in early June, had a combined negative earnings impact of €3 million. Per-passenger irregularity costs fell 16% as operational stability improved. Brussels Airlines also said it would not add two Airbus A330 aircraft to its fleet in 2027 as previously planned, keeping its long-haul fleet at 11 A330s, and that four airBaltic wet-lease aircraft operating through October will not return for the 2027 summer season. Parent Lufthansa separately warned its 2026 adjusted EBIT would fall to between €1.7 billion and €2.2 billion, compared with €1.96 billion in 2025, also citing higher fuel costs.