Airlines have condemned a wildcat strike by air traffic controllers in Belgium, which significantly disrupted flights from Brussels Airport yesterday.
The International Air Transport Association described the action, which ended at 10.30pm, as ‘a kick in the teeth’ for the airline and airport staff who had worked hard to reconnect Brussels after the terrorist attacks three weeks ago.
"It is the height of irresponsibility to cut a vital service and doing so without warning can only be seen as malicious.
"If we cannot count on simple human decency from such highly-compensated professionals then it’s time for governments to find ways to guarantee the availability of air traffic control services," said IATA’s director general and CEO Tony Tyler.
Yesterday’s strike happened as Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary revealed the airline had already lost between €10 million and €20 million in the three months to March due to the bombing of Brussels airport and ATC strikes in Europe.
He said the airline lost 100,000 ‘high yield’ passengers over the Easter weekend alone.
Brussels has been struggling to resume normal services after two bombs caused extensive damage to its check-in hall last month.
British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and bmi have all begun a phased reintroduction of flights to the airport.
