Strike at Brussels Airport affects Air Malta flights
Air Malta's flights to Brussels are being affected by a strike action at Aviapartner, the airline's handling agent at Brussels airport. This action is also disrupting the operation of several other airlines, customers of the handling agent.
The strike commenced yesterday afternoon just after the landing of Air Malta's flight at Brussels Airport. Air Malta passengers travelling on yesterday's flight experienced delays to reclaim their luggage at the airport while the return flight was delayed by one hour.
Air Malta flights to and from Brussels today will be operated as per schedule, but these may also be affected by delays.
Air Malta said it will monitor the evolving industrial action at its handling agent and will advise its customers of any changes to its normal schedule on the Brussels route on its portal and Facebook page if the need arises.
The airline said it regretted any inconvenience its passengers may experience and apologised to customers for any disruptions they may face due to circumstances beyond their control.
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Bud Moureaux - Flanders (BE) & Xemxija, SPB (MT)
Jun 9th 2011, 17:06
UPDATE
Aviapartner unions and Swissport reach agreement - Belga -
Updated: Thu 09/06/2011 - 16:10
The unions at Aviapartner and the new handling company Swissport have concluded a formal agreement. Swissport will take over all staff, maintaining their salaries. At 18:00 hrs CET the strike will therefore be suspended. This strike has led to chaos at the airport. Around one quarter of the flights is hit.
Bud Moureaux,
partially residing in Flanders (BE) and Xemxija, SPB (MT)
Bud Moureaux - Flanders (BE) & Xemxija, SPB (MT)
Jun 9th 2011, 12:19
For all those interested in or affected by the strike at Zaventem (Brussels Airport), here is some information taken from FlandersNews.be, the news website of the Flemish public network VRT:
Flight schedule disrupted at Brussels Airport - Thu 09/06/2011 - 10:35
Employees of baggage handler Aviapartner are holding a 24-hour strike at Brussels Airport in Zaventem. The strike is affecting passengers today, as dozens of flights have been cancelled with others being delayed. The strike started yesterday evening and was triggered by fears over job losses.
Aviapartner is one of the two companies dealing with the luggage handling of passenger flights at Zaventem, together with Flightcare.
However, it was announced yesterday that Aviapartner's license will not be renewed in November. Brussels Airport Company (BAC) has the licenses for freight and baggage handling renewed every 7 years. Flightcare and Aviapartner were among the 5 candidates for 2 contracts. Flightcare made it, Aviapartner didn't. The Swiss multinational Swissport will take the place of Aviapartner as from 1 November.
Jan Van der Cruysse, the spokesman for BAC, guarantees that the 900 employees of Aviapartner will be able to move to Swissport, as is stipulated in the contract with Brussels Airport. However, trades unions are concerned that a number of positions will be shed or that working conditions will get worse for those staying on.
"Swissport has a very bad reputation in the field of social talks", Kurt Callaerts of the Christian trades union ACV told reporters.
"Check the airport's website"
This morning, a quarter of the flights were affected. Some airline companies are working with Flightcare, others with Aviapartner.
It's especially this last category which is feeling the consequences of the strike. Jan Van der Cruysse says that Brussels Airport has published a list of airlines cooperating with Aviapartner is advising passengers to check the airport's website (http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/alarm/16676/).
The strike started around 6 p.m. yesterday and should continue until 6 p.m. Today, trades unions are meeting a delegation of Swissport, and also a delegation of BAC. It will depend on the outcome of those talks whether the strike will be continued or not.
Bud Moureaux,
partially residing in Flanders (BE) and Xemxija, SPB (MT)