The wildcat strike by luggage handlers employed at Brussels Airport by Aviapartner has ended. The airport announced yesterday afternoon that Aviapartner has resumed work after the week-long strike. Operations were gradually built up during the course of the day and should be fully operational today. All passengers are advised to check the website of Brussels Airport or the website of the airlines for an update of their flights. This morning most flights seemed to departure as scheduled or, in a few cases, with some delays.
Passengers having luggage that is lost are recommended not to come to the airport but to wait until they have been contacted personally.
Aviapartner Belgium and Swissport Belgium were granted licenses in February 2018 to handle luggage services for passenger aircraft at the airport. The new licences are for a period of seven years and entered into force on 28 October 2018 just after the outbreak of the strike by dissatisfied personnel at Aviapartner.
The selection of ground handlers was based on various financial requirements an qualitative requirements defined in the selection procedure. A spokesperson for the airport told The Brussels Times that their performance is audited every year. She could not say if the airport will review the license of Aviapartner because of the strike.
Aviapartner did not respond yesterday to questions about the strike and why the issues with the trade unions had not been resolved since February when it was awarded the license.
The Brussels Times
