Brussels Airlines will take delivery of three new A320 neo aircraft in 2023, and an additional two aircraft in 2024, replacing current A319 models in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.
The Belgian carrier, which aims to cut CO2 emissions by half by 2030, said fleet renewal is “the most powerful measure to reduce CO2 and noise emissions from flights”.
"In addition, intermodality and alternative fuels are important pillars to achieve our climate ambitions,” said Brussels Airlines CEO Peter Gerber.
The carrier plans to operate its first SAF-powered flight in 2023, with Gerber insisting that “major investments” are required in order to use SAF at-scale – “investments that we as a sector cannot bear alone”.
With the new aircraft, the carrier is also looking to expand its network for summer 2023 and increase flight frequencies across Europe by 10 per cent.
From 26 March, the carrier will offer flights to Billund, Brindisi, Djerba, Monastir, Warsaw and Zurich – all new destinations in the airline's network.
Meanwhile, routes to Berlin, Bordeaux, Chania, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Kos, Las Palmas, Lyon, Madrid, Munich, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife, will see increased flight frequencies.