Brussels Airport is in discussions with Air India and IndiGo to restore direct air connectivity between India and Belgium. Representatives from the airport are meeting airline executives in Delhi as part of a Belgian economic mission led by Princess Astrid. The delegation includes federal ministers and business leaders aiming to boost trade and tourism ties between the two countries.
India remains the largest unserved Asian market for Belgium, despite strong air links with China, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. In 2024, around 150,000 passengers travelled between India and Belgium, highlighting the demand for direct flights. The reintroduction of a direct route is expected to stimulate business, holiday, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic.
Brussels was previously connected to India via Jet Airways, which moved its European base to Amsterdam in 2016. Brussels Airlines briefly resumed flights to Mumbai in 2017 but suspended operations in 2019. Now, Brussels Airport sees an opportunity for Air India to leverage its Star Alliance ties, as Lufthansa (which owns Brussels Airlines) already has a presence at the airport. IndiGo, expanding its European network, is also being considered for new direct flights.
Beyond passenger traffic, a direct route would enhance cargo operations, particularly for pharmaceutical exports from India. Brussels Airport, a key hub for pharma logistics, views cargo connectivity as a crucial factor in supporting future passenger flights and potential full freighter operations.
Air India, the largest Indian carrier on Europe routes, currently flies to major European hubs, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Meanwhile, IndiGo is expanding its European presence with wet-leased Boeing 787s. If negotiations succeed, a new India-Belgium route could significantly enhance travel and trade connectivity between the two nations.