“The airport and its employees deserve better than this amateurism”

One week after the announcement of the now-famous flight tax, the Vivaldi government is still unable to provide clarity on the extent of this tax. “That’s not how you conduct policy,” said MP Theo Francken, “by imposing a tax on a private company without consultation, without knowing the details. That is pure amateurism.”

MP Theo Francken questioned the competent minister Gilkinet on Wednesday about the file in the Parliamentary Mobility Committee. There was not a single answer provided to the questions “How will the EUR 30 million estimated revenue from the flight tax be obtained? What are the conditions and framework for this tax? And what extra amount will the traveller have to cough up for a ticket?”

“Zaventem airport is the second-largest economic centre in this country. Thousands of jobs - especially in Flemish Brabant - depend on it, and what does this government do? Without consulting this private company, which is coming out of a deep crisis, it imposes an additional tax. A tax that further weakens its competitive position. The airport and its employees deserve better,” Theo Francken concludes.