Story ID: 
Striking Controllers Close Brussels Airport Again
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: Unofficial strike action by some Belgian air traffic controllers has caused hundreds of flight cancellations at Brussels.
Word Count: 410
Continuing unofficial strike action by Belgian air traffic controllers has already caused hundreds of flight cancellations at several airports in Belgium including the country’s main gateway Brussels Airport. The strike, which began on the evening of April 12 when, without warning, controllers started calling in sick as shifts were due to begin, began after their union, Belgium’s Guild of Air Traffic Controllers (BGATC), reached an agreement with air traffic control agency Belgocontrol. The agreement included raising the pension age from 55 to 58, but these terms have apparently not been accepted by at least 80 union members (out of a total membership of 280).

The strike action drew an indignant response from politicians and industry leaders, coming as it did within a few days of Brussels Airport reopening after the March 22 bomb attacks that killed 16 people and closed the airport for almost a week. Brussels Airport confirmed that around 200 of some 400 scheduled flights were cancelled on April 13, with more disruption anticipated from this evening. The disruption started as Brussels Airport was increasing the number of airlines permitted to operate in the wake of extensive repairs to the departures area of the main terminal.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel threatened legal action against doctors who have reportedly issued medical certificates to striking controllers who called in sick. “This is an irresponsible strike,” commented Michel. “I do not accept that a handful [of people] decides to take the country hostage, to put our image and our economic situation in danger.”

The International Air Transport Association condemned the strike with director general and CEO Tony Tyler commenting: “This action is by air traffic controllers is a kick in the teeth for all the airline and airport staff who have worked so hard to reconnect Brussels to the world after the appalling terrorist attack just three weeks ago. It is the height of irresponsibility to cut a vital service and doing so without warning can only be seen as vicious. If we cannot count on simple human decency from such highly compensated professionals then it’s time for governments to find a way to guarantee the availability of air traffic control services.”

Belgocontrol said that under the terms of the agreement with BGATC, it plans to recruit around 30 more air traffic controllers to start work in spring 2017. The deal is still subject to final approval by the agency’s own board and also by the central government.