Brussels Airlines Converts Arctic Charters to Scheduled Flights Amid Travel Surge
Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines has announced a major expansion of its winter timetable, adding three new scheduled destinations in northern Europe to capture surging consumer demand for Northern Lights trips and Arctic winter holidays.
Starting in December 2026, the airline will transition what were previously tour-operator charter services into regular scheduled passenger routes, connecting its primary hub at Brussels Airport directly to Finnish Lapland and northern Norway.
The newly added flight destinations include:
- Kittilä, Finland: Receiving the largest capacity share, with three weekly flights operating between December 10, 2026, and March 27, 2027. Kittilä serves as the gateway to Finnish Lapland and popular ski resorts like Levi.
- Kemi, Finland: Situated on the Gulf of Bothnia, Kemi will see up to two weekly flights running from December 25, 2026, through March 10, 2027.
- Evenes, Norway: Serving as an entry point to the scenic Lofoten and Vesterålen islands in Norway's Nordland region, Evenes (Harstad/Narvik) will receive one flight per week during February and March 2027.
Countering Seasonal Demand Fluctuations
The route additions form part of a broader commercial strategy across the Lufthansa Group to smooth out severe seasonal imbalances in European aviation. While European passenger volumes traditionally peak during summer beach holidays, winter demand drops significantly across standard short-haul routes.
By expanding direct scheduled service to polar regions, Brussels Airlines joins a growing industry trend that caters to travelers seeking cold-weather "wonderland" experiences—such as husky sledding, snowmobiling, and aurora borealis viewing—rather than warm-weather sun escapes.
The carrier's management noted that while partnership charters with regional travel agencies will continue, offering independent scheduled seat sales gives travelers greater flexibility to build individual Northern Lights itineraries across Scandinavia.
