Brussels Airlines increases frequencies to Bristol and Newcastle Also new launch of own-operated aircraft to London Heathrow as from 10 January

Brussels Airlines is optimising its flight offer between Belguim and the UK with an increase in frequencies to and from Bristol and Newcastle. From 10 January 2010, the airline will offer 3 daily flights to these regional UK airports, as oppised to the twice and once-daily frequencies on offer today. London Heathrow will also benefit from four daily flights operated on Brussels Airlines aircraft.

This increase in flights from between Brussels and Bristol is a response to market demand. In effect, with weekday flights in the morning, the middle of the day and in the evening, passengers flying for business can now spend a full day on site, and the new schedules also give excellent onward connections to a large number of destinations on our European and African networks.

Flights to Bristol and Newcastle will be operated on Embraer Regional Jets, supplied by bmi. A co-member of Star Alliance, bmi is a part of the Lufthansa Group, which is a strategic partner of Brussels Airlines. Brussels-Bristol timetable from 10 JAN 2010 (local time) Brussels-Newcastle timetable from 10 JAN 2010 (local time) London Heathrow

From 10 January, Brussels Airlines will also operate 4 daily flights between London Heathrow and the captial of Europe. Following the cessation on 9 January of the bmi service on this route, Brussels Airlines will replace this service with a full programme of flights. In line wwith this strategic decision, the airline will terminate its reduced service between London Gatwick and Brussels. In offering a service to and from London Heathrow, we can give our passengers a better service, as well as better connections to our Star Alliance partner networks flying our of Heathrow. Explains Erik Follet, Executive Vice President Network at Brussels Airlines.

Brussels Airlines will offer 4 daily flights between LHR and BRU from 10 January two morning and two evening flights. These flights will be scheduled for excellent connections to Brussels Airlines European and African networks via Brussels, with a mimimum transit time previewed. Flights will be operated on Brussels Airlines Boeing 737, Airbus 319 and AVRO RJ.

Brussels-London Heathrow timetable (local time) Brussels Airlines now offers flights to and from 8 destinations in the UK. With 27 flights per day on weekdays the company has the best connections between the capital of Europe and the UK.

-Ends-

About Brussels Airlines Brussels Airlines is the Belgian airline that offers the widest choice of flights to and from its base in Brussels Airport. The groups 3000 employees and 51 aircraft operate some 300 punctual flights daily, connecting the Capital of Europe to some 70 premium European and African airports. On its European routes, operated with AVRO, Airbus A319 and Boeing 737, Brussels Airlines offers the choice of an genuine business class product (b.business), a flexible travel formula offering timesaving and comfort (b.flex economy+) and a low cost product (b.light economy). On medium- and long-haul flights, the airline operates traditional Business or Economy class. Long-haul flights to Africa are operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

In addition to 21 destinations on the African continent, Brussels Airlines and its intercontinental partners also offer long-haul service to the United Arab Emirates, China, Thailand, India and North America. Brussels Airlines is owned by SN Airholding and is backed up by more than 80 years of aviation experience in Belgium.

On 15 September 2008, Lufthansa Group announced an equity investment in the Belgian airline.

More information on www.brusselsairlines.com.

About Star Alliance Brussels Airlines has officially integrated the most experienced alliance worldwide, Star Alliance, on 9th December 2009.

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award, Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue1, bmi, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Aegean Airlines, Air India, and TAM have been announced as future members. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers 19,700 daily flights to 1,077 airports in 175 countries. PRESS RELEASE brusselsairlines.com Brussels Airlines Fly NV/SA - Jaargetijdenlaan 100-102/B30 Av. des Saisons - 1050 Brussel/Bruxelles - RPR/RPM 0445692234 SN Airholding NV/SA - Boomkwekerijstraat 20 rue de la Pépinière - 1000 Brussel/Bruxelles - RPR/RPM 0419468778 More information on www.staralliance.com. Media Contacts Geert Sciot, Vice-President Communication Julien Tilkens, External Communication Officer Tel.: +32 (0)2 723 84 00 +32 (0)2 723 85 52 Fax : +32 (0)2 723 84 09 GSM : +32 477 77 49 11 - +32 (0)479 83 50 96 Email: gsciot@brusselsairlines.com - jtilkens@brusselsairlines.com