Brussels Airlines to cancel 148 flights this summer

In an attempt to reduce the workload on staff, the management of Brussels Airlines is cancelling 148 flights in the summer schedule. The affected passengers can count on an alternative.

It concerns 74 return flights to European destinations, or less than 1 percent of the flights. The affected passengers can count on an alternative. "We will contact them proactively and work on alternatives, either with us or with our partner companies," spokeswoman Maaike Andries told De Standaard.

Ongoing conflict

The decision to cancel 148 flights comes after an ongoing conflict between staff and management of the Belgian airline. This however does not mean that all problems have been solved. While especially the cabin crew is dissatisfied about the work schedules and the persistent high work pressure, the pilots complain about the wages of Brussels Airlines.

Also in other European countries, there is a staff shortage in the aviation sector. Schiphol airport in the Netherlands has been experiencing problems for the past few days. Several British airports are also suffering from delays and cancelled flights, while Swiss Air Lines is cancelling flights this summer due to staff shortages.

The ongoing personnel shortage is an offshoot of the coronapandemic. During that period, large numbers of staff were laid off and now the sector is struggling to recruit new people.

(AHU)

© BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS