Air traffic controllers at Brussels South Charleroi Airport have suspended their overnight strike to allow mediation talks over a dispute concerning night allowances.
The unions representing the controllers have agreed to enter a new round of negotiations with s
keyes under the supervision of an external mediator. The industrial action had been taking place overnight, between 22:00 and 08:00, since last week and had resulted in numerous flight cancellations at the Belgian airport.
The dispute is linked to the planned digital air traffic control centre in Namur, which is expected to handle traffic for both Charleroi and Liège. The unions are seeking to bring the night allowance for Charleroi controllers in line with the allowance currently applying to their colleagues in Liège.
Belgian Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke proposed external mediation on Tuesday in an effort to resolve the dispute. The unions’ decision to suspend the strike is intended to create the conditions for the negotiations to proceed.
The immediate suspension should reduce the risk of further overnight cancellations at Charleroi Airport, although airlines may still need some time to restore their schedules following the previous disruptions.