AIR CARG O WEEK


EUROPEAN CARGO


MAASTRICHT AACHEN AIRPORT SAVES THE DAY AS BELGIUM STRIKES


F


or one day last month, cargo flights were redirected to Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) following the disruption that saw the aviation sector grounded in Belgium on February 13. MST stepped in to help minimise the impact of a series of scheduled strikes across Belgium that included


air traffic control operators, handlers and security personnel. The Netherland’s second largest air cargo hub welcome the cargo


flights already scheduled, with MST prepared to manage further flights as demand required. National strikes across Belgium caused major disruption to cargo flights, with no flights planned to take off from or land at Belgian airports, including Brussels and Liège. “We are proud of our team’s effort to prepare for situations like


this and move so quickly to make sure our airport is prepared to operate passenger and cargo flights at short notice,” said Joost Meijs, CEO, Maastricht Aachen Airport. “Our


resilience and strong operational performance, we know,


are reasons that we adapt to conditions and make sure we provide smooth operations and experience for the cargo carriers and passenger flights we welcome – our excellent location and transport links mean that disruption should be minimal for both


passengers and cargo shipments.” Labour relations within the European airfreight industry have


been notably strained in recent times, with several significant disruptions


impacting operations. These disruptions have


stemmed from various factors, including disputes over pay, working conditions and broader economic challenges.


Strikes leading to major freight delays In 2024, various industrial actions across Europe had direct implications for air cargo operations. For instance, in April 2024, French air traffic controllers staged strikes, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights and significant disruptions in air traffic across Europe. These strikes had a considerable impact on cargo flights, leading to delays and necessitating rerouting of shipments. In October 2024, the global supply chain experienced significant


disruptions due to widespread labour strikes across critical sectors,


including aerospace, shipping, These strikes resulted in major freight delays,


logistics and transport. increased costs


and reduced capacity. The aerospace sector, in particular, faced challenges as strikes halted production lines, leading to delays


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