Brussels Airlines pilots suspend industrial action

Normal service has been resumed at Brussels Airport, as unions representing the pilots of Brussels Airlines suspended industrial action until at least the end of next week. Unions yesterday accepted the principle of an agreement reached with management.

The agreement covers the four main areas of concern to unions: pilots over the age of 58, overtime payments, pension contributions and days off. Pilots reaching the company’s retirement age of 58 will be allowed to stay on, though they will work fewer hours. Days off accumulated through overtime can now be spread indefinitely and need not be taken in the same year, which often proved impossible before.

Agreements are still to be reached on the other two points. A further meeting will be held with management on 29 November; until then, pilots have agreed to go back to work. “The strike notice has not been withdrawn,” one union representative said. “What we have is a cease-fire.”

Brussels Airlines CEO Bernard Gustin said he was “satisfied” with the outcome and hoped the discussions could continue “in a serene manner”. About 170 flights were affected by the two-day stoppage, which ended yesterday morning. According to the company, the cost of the action was around €5 million.