With more than 5 million passengers expected at Brussels Airport, it is set to become a busy summer. Arnaud Feist, the CEO of Brussels Airport, does not expect passengers to face any unscheduled strikes, like those seen in recent weeks at Belgian air traffic control agency Skeyes and baggage handler Aviapartner. “Agreements have been reached between the trade unions and management. But you can never be 100 per cent certain” the CEO told VRT News.
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After air traffic control and baggage-handling walk-outs at Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist looks ahead to summer
Colin Clapson
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It promises to be a busy summer at Brussels Airport. The Airport expects 4 per cent more passengers this year than in the same period last year. More than 5 million people will be flying, says Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist.
International tensions and uncertainty over the availability of kerosene due to the war in the Middle East seem to be having little impact. Even though kerosene has become more expensive, leading to higher ticket prices.
“I think many people are pleased to be able to go on holiday,” he says. “We are, however, seeing a shift in the types of destinations: shorter distances, more trips to Europe and North Africa. So it may well be having an impact somewhere.”
In recent weeks, travellers have certainly felt the full impact of unannounced strikes at the airport, first involving air traffic control company Skeyes, and later baggage handling firm Aviapartner.
CEO Feist regrets this. “Every strike affects tens of thousands of passengers who are going away on holiday or visiting friends or family abroad. The impact was disproportionate.”
What were the strikes at Skeyes and Aviapartner about?
The industrial action at Belgian air traffic control agency Skeyes in early June was prompted by dissatisfaction with the arrangements surrounding the new digital control centre. The strike led to chaos at airports across the country, with hundreds of cancelled flights, thousands of stranded travellers and an estimated economic loss of 10 million euros.
In mid-June, Aviapartner’s white-collar staff went on strike following the announcement of a new pay system. According to the trade unions, there had been no social consultations on this matter. The unions claimed the walk-out was an expression of long-standing dissatisfaction with staff policy.
Feist is particularly unhappy about the unannounced strikes. “I think a strike notice should be a minimum requirement, so that people know there will be a strike in a week or two’s time. That way, passengers and airlines can prepare.”
The industrial action at Skeyes and Aviapartner was unannounced, “with serious consequences for many people. We must avoid that. The right to strike is an important aspect of our democracy, but passengers have rights too.”
Feist respects the right to strike and can also understand that people are frustrated. “We’ve seen this for years: June is always a difficult month, with the start of the summer season. There are sometimes tensions then. These must absolutely be avoided.”
“Proper social dialogue should prevent this. You need to be able to sense what is going on and what people feel. A strike is never something that comes out of the blue,” he says.