Brussels Airlines CEO: African hub in danger due to Belgian government plans
Gerber makes his statement in the Belgian newspaper The time, following the publication of a note from Federal Secretary Gilkinet. There is talk of much stricter noise standards and the possibility of short-haul flights.
“I was announced about his proposal because I always counted on us all working together. We actually have the same goals, the only question is how to achieve them. Simply closing everything is not a slim or democratic way,” said the CEO.
provincial airport
Gerber fears that if the plans are implemented, Brussels Airport will lose its competitiveness and be relegated to a small provincial airport. The report further reports to the newspaper that the short-haul flights are needed as a feeder to the airport for the flights to Africa, which are important as a differentiator for Brussels Airlines. “If those flights can no longer continue, the African hub is in danger,” he reports.
Train no alternative
Gerber: “We only fly short distances if there is no other option. If the high-speed train stopped at Brussels Airport, this could be an alternative for flights to and from Paris, but the train stops in the center. Passengers still have to transfer in Brussels-South with all their luggage.
The director of Brussels Airlines is willing to help pay for a fast train connection to the airport. We will pay our share in such an HSL connection. I would love to cancel flights to Paris and replace them with trains. But I also understand that the French railways don’t feel like it. Their main airport would lose passengers because of it,” he continues.
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