To gain a better understanding of the on-going issues at Belgocontrol, BeCA has requested the Belgian Guild of Air Traffic Controllers (BGATC) to summarise the facts and concerns concerning the current political and judicial inquiries. This is their story.

Just Culture in the balance

By the Belgian Guild of Air Traffic Controllers

Following political discussions and complaints via the judicial system, both the Ministry of Mobility and federal prosecutors have indicated they now want to interview individual supervisors of Belgocontrol about operational decisions taken between 2010 and 2016 on which runways/routes to use.

In 2010 a judicial investigation was started following a civil complaint by individuals and action groups concerning what they see as the unjustified use of RWY 01. In 2011 this led to a house-search at Belgocontrol and several members of management were interrogated. All relevant data (weather, watch books,…) were made available. At the beginning of 2017, the examining magistrate Mrs. Heusghem threatened and forced Belgocontrol and its board of directors to release the names of 15 EBBR TWR supervisors. In the past, Belgocontrol had always refused that.

They are now also facing interrogations on operational decisions they took in the interest of airlines and passenger safety

Charges are twofold: violation of basic rights of the plaintiffs, and conspiracy by civil servants against the laws and royal decrees of the state of Belgium (going back to a law dating from 1867 to protect the young state of Belgium). The charge specifies over 200 specific cases spanning over a period of about 10  years. Some of the supervisors concerned are no longer in active duty…

This puts further strain on those supervisors, who have been regularly harassed over the past years. They pay the price for years and years of political and judicial games being played at their expense. They are now also facing interrogations on operational decisions they took in the interest of airlines and passenger safety, in line with the published Preferential Runway System and AIP. It is still unclear whether they will be interrogated as witnesses or as defendants.

It has become apparent that those in charge do not realise the possible implications of their actions: if controllers have to fear legal and political consequences of operational decisions, it definitely interferes with their primary goal, which is safety.

Just culture is at risk as their anonymity and protection of identity can no longer be guaranteed. The situation at Belgocontrol is already precarious enough not to put such additional strain on our colleagues.

BGATC will not hesitate to point out the responsibility of those who seem to prioritise their political career over public safety!