Belgian PM called upon to 'finally' intervene in social conflict at Skeyes

Flemish Minister of Mobility Ben Weyts (N-VA) on Thursday took to Twitter to denounce the action of the Christian trade union at Skeyes, which led to the closure of the airspace in the morning. "Could the absent prime minister, Charles Michel, finally intervene in this mess?" he asked on Twitter. Air traffic controllers have just concerns but the wrong means of action.

Kan de afwezige premier @CharlesMichel nu eindelijk eens ingrijpen in deze rotzooi. Luchtverkeersleiders hebben juiste bekommernissen, verkeerde actiemiddelen. https://t.co/py2ali2Svw

— Ben Weyts (@BenWeyts) May 16, 2019

Meanwhile, the Walloon government has mandated Pegasus, an aeronautical consulting company, "to see how to get around Skeyes," said regional minister in charge of airports, Jean-Luc Crucke. "On the side of Wallonia, we are getting closer and closer to a bye-bye Skeyes," he added.

The strike led to the cancellation of around 100 flights in Brussels and Charleroi. Brussels Airlines has expressed its exasperation at these repeated actions. It estimates that it has already suffered 4 million euros and is considering legal action against Skeyes.

The Brussels Times