The return of Singapore Airlines to Brussels strengthens the airport's Asian catalogue

Faced with the collapse of tourism in 2003-2004 as a result of the avian flu (SARS) - which particularly affected Hong Kong and Singapore - Singapore Airlines decided to cancel services to half a dozen cities, including the airport of Brusselsbut also those of Madrid and Vienna in Europe.

While Madrid and Vienna will still have to wait for the return of the Singaporean carrier, SIA has just announced its return to the European capital. The first flight is scheduled for 25 October next year with four weekly services. Subject to regulatory approval, flight SQ303 will leave Brussels every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 11:20 (local time) with an early morning landing, offering the opportunity to connections to the rest of Asia and theAustralia. The return flight, SQ304, will depart Singapore on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 23:55 (local time).

More than 15 years after deserting Belgium's airport, how do you explain the return of Singapore Airlines? The first factor is the growing demand for intercontinental services from so-called 'secondary' cities. With a population of 1.5 million, and despite its role as the political capital of Europe, Brussels airport carries less weight than the major European airports. hubs like Paris CDG, Amsterdam or London Heathrow, all at two hours by train of the Belgian metropolis. But above all, the key factor is the integration into the fleets ofAirbus A350. The aircraft, with its low fuel consumption, has become the ideal aircraft for serving secondary markets and - eventually - making a profit. The Airbus A350, for example, is the aircraft that largely explains the expansion strategies of companies such as Finnair or Qatar Airways.

Over the last few years, Brussels had a back in favour with Asian airlines. Singapore Airlines will thus be the sixth Far Eastern airline to offer direct flights, alongside All Nippon Airways on TokyoBrussels Airlines on MumbaiCathay Pacific on Hong KongHainan Airlines on Beijing and Shenzhen and Thai Airways International on Bangkok. This route is also one of the top 10 intercontinental routes from Brussels, with more than 140,000 passengersahead of Beijing and its 125,000 passengers in 2018. With the arrival of Singapore Airlines, Brussels fills a major slot in its Asian network. Still missing Seoul and Shanghai. Probably just a matter of time...