VAT Update

The reimbursements stopped abruptly after a few pilots were reimbursed at the end of last summer. We have been active in this issue and are in contact with our lawyer to solve this as soon as possible. It looks like there was an ongoing discussion within the government on budgets and their approval We have seen some positive signs that budgets are made available and that the necessary approvals have been obtained. So we have good hopes that reimbursements will start back soon. If not, there will be a case of discrimination between those who have been reimbursed and those who have not and this would be an impossible position for the government.

Belgocontrol Incident

On 7 June 2017 Belgocontrol experienced a blackout of the primary and secondary systems. Although a third (non-certified) system allowed the air traffic controllers to maintain aircraft separation, our association was baffled to witness such severe failure after the total blackout in 2015. After voicing our concerns in the media (http://bit.ly/2BS0KOu), we had a meeting with the Belgocontrol CEO where we questioned the concept of single point of failure (the incident was caused by a technician who pulled a circuit breaker) and the chronic lack of staff among ATCOs. Little or no answers were provided. Apparently, last year the ANSP has been audited by EUROCONTROL and is reportedly implementing the identified shortcomings. In the meantime, we learned that there will be no external investigation on the 2017 incident. BeCA calls upon BCAA, AAIU and Belgocontrol to provide more transparency on the steps taken to guarantee an uninterrupted ATC service.

Dangerous Goods in EBBR

With regards to the screening of dangerous goods (DG) in passenger baggage, BeCA has been made aware that Brussels Airport recently aligned its screening procedures with the applicable airport regulations contained in EU regulation 2015/1998. This howevermeans that the airport (officially) no longer screens items listed in IATA Dangerous Good regulations (the reference for aircraft operators). This discrepancy might lead to the presence of prohibited DG on board of passenger aircraft.

BeCA urges aircraft operators to clarify the applicable procedures airlines currently use to ensure compliance with their operations manual chapter 9 at the airports they are operating. Furthermore BeCA wishes to understand the assumptions used in risk assessing the screening of DG in cargo holds of passenger aircraft. Finally our association asks the BCAA to demonstrate adequate oversight on this important hazard to the safety of pilots and passengers.