Due to a strike by security personnel, the traffic around Charleroi airport became mired in chaos. TUI is rescheduling flights, the airport itself was closed at 16:00.
The staff of the Security Master, which ensures security at Charleroi airport, stopped working on Monday morning. Part of the staff then occupied the roundabouts towards the airport. According to Kevin Peeters, permanent representative of the FGTB, some have returned home.
The trade union front had presented a strike notice due to the dissatisfaction of the security chief’s staff. This is related to the decision by BSCA Security, which is responsible for airport security, to award a future public tender for passenger security checks to two operators instead of one. Security personnel are concerned about the acquisition of current agents by new operators, as well as changes in training and compensation.
The personnel of the Security Unit company, who are usually assigned to other security duties, try to take on the functions of Security Master, but do not have sufficient staff to handle the influx of passengers.
The police open the gates
The police are present outside the terminal. “The gates are regularly opened by the police to ensure a smooth flow of traffic,” said Philippe Verdonck, director of BSCA. Security Master staff do not plan to return to work on Monday. “We are available if management wants to make progress, but we have not yet been contacted,” said Kevin Peeters.
Due to the strike by security personnel, TUI Fly is diverting scheduled flights to Tenerife and Murcia to Brussels airport. “We ask passengers to go directly to Brussels airport at the originally scheduled time, as Charleroi airport is not accessible and TUI Fly cannot operate transfer buses,” the company said.
Charleroi Airport will be closed from 16:00 to passengers departing for a journey. Director Verdonck confirmed this. Verdonck stresses that there will be no consequences for arriving flights. The airport is also expected to be fully operational again on Tuesday morning.
