Jet Airways considers moving base out of Brussels Airport

Staff of the Indian airline Jet Airways, based at Brussels Airport, have been warned of the possibility that the company will move, according to a representative of the socialist union BBTK, De Standaard reports.

During a staff meeting at the weekend, staff were told Jet Airways could pull out of Zaventem as early as 31 March. Earlier in the day, the company had begun talks with airport management with a view to “new developments” in its operations.

“In fact nothing is certain,” the spokesperson said. “Among other things, it’s not clear whether they mean a partial or a complete withdrawal.” A procedure to buy slots at Schiphol in Amsterdam – the most likely airport for Jet Airways to move to – is not yet complete, he pointed out.

The airline employs 30 people directly at Zaventem, but their departure would have an effect on about 300 jobs indirectly, including service staff, baggage handlers and caterers. Jet Airways flies from Brussels to Newark, Toronto, New Delhi and Mumbai.

Brussels Airport said it was not aware of any announcement from the airline. News of the airline’s departure from Zaventem has been rumoured since 2013. The airport said that, if the rumour turn out to be true, it would go in search of other companies who want to fly from Brussels to India and North America.

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