Ahead of a trade union action in late June, several members of the airline industry have called on trade unions to consider the impact the strikes against the Federal Government's reforms have on the sector and its passengers.
This year, national strikes have disrupted the travel plans of 180,000 passengers at Brussels Airport and cost the economy €100 million, according to a press release by the airport operator and airlines Brussels Airlines and TUI fly.
"The airport partners naturally respect the right to strike, but regret the enormous impact on passengers and the entire sector," said the airline industry members.
The inconvenience for travellers is not limited to cancelled flights; hotel bookings and other reservations may also be affected, they noted.
"As an airport, it is always a painful decision that we have to make with our partners to cancel flights due to industrial action," said Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist in the press release. "Our passengers rely on their flights for a variety of reasons, and we have already had to disappoint them too often this year due to these actions."
Passengers at Brussels national airport in Zaventem. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
There are also significant financial consequences for businesses. While Brussels Airlines' employees did not go on strike, the company estimates having lost €8 million due to the union actions, according to CEO Dorothea von Boxberg.
In addition to financial impacts, there is also reputational damage: "The many recent strikes are not helping confidence in our national airport," said the managing director of TUI Airline Belgium and the Netherlands, Gunther Hofman.
Von Boxberg agrees with the TUI director. "There is a risk that passengers will avoid Brussels and choose airlines operating from other airports in neighbouring countries," she said.
"The actions are once again disproportionately at the expense of passengers, the many employees who are willing to work and who suffer repeated wage losses, and the broader economy," the three companies summarised.
Brussels Airport. Credit: Belga/Ine Gillis
They call on the trade unions to take other forms of action and to enter into consultation, "without completely paralysing air traffic."
The Association of Flemish Travel Agencies (VVR) has joined the call. "The ongoing wave of strikes has a much greater impact than simply cancelling flights," said VVR chairperson Koen van den Bosch. "It also jeopardises the solvency of travel agents."
The trade unions ABVV, ACV and ACLVB have announced a national trade union action against the De Wever government's policy for 25 June.
For the time being, there is talk of a "meeting" in Brussels, which could take the form of a demonstration. A strike notice will be submitted to give employees the opportunity to join the demonstration.
