Megaman wrote:
I don't know facts about the airport 20 years ago. I was in the US at that time and probably too small before. But I think this is mainly about night travel isn't it? I think this became mainly an issue with the DHL development which was at a peak a few years ago. If a site suits night Cargo flights better (less disruptions, less congestions, etc.) why not chose that site?
If the DHL night flights really were the reason for Brussels to paly tough games, there is no reason left to do so. If they agree with the Flemish in such way an agreement is satisfactory for both, BRU can grow without causing too much disruption in Brussels. But if you look at the way Flemish and Dutch speaking overall are treated in Brussels, this is not an option.
Once again, I do not blame Cargo B for searching better options, nor do I blame LGG for looking for more customers, but I see a disturbing evolution of French speaking politicians luring away as much aviation bussenis from Flanders as possible and it's an evolution that is going on for some time now.
And this evolution has been made possible, mainly due to two reasons:
1) Making aviation bussenis at Flanders main airport more and more difficult (Brussels region)
2) Giving some form of aid to encourage companies to move ops from BRU to either LGG or CRL.
The second is not such a big problem to me, but I have more difficulties accepting the first one. If this is the way Walloonia wants to play, then Flanders should play along.
You're joking right?
Why? People on this forum state that it's a good thing jobs stay in Belgium, but that's irrelevant. People prefer working in their own region and if jobs are lost because the Walloon government encourages companies to shift operations from BRU to LGG or CRL, it is my opinion that the first employment which is lost due to such a move, should be walloon jobs so they can go and work at LGG or CRL, in their own region and the Dutch speaking staff can stay at 'Flemish' BRU.
and everyone will loose.
Right now only Flanders is loosing. There are huge investments being done at Brucargo to modernise the infrastructure and give customers a better package. B-cargo is het first one to move a sizeable operation to LGG. Who is going to follow? Singapore?
Other, even bigger investments are done to make the airport better in reach for everyone. But what's the point of such investment if the concurrence (which CRL and LGG de facto are) is lurring away as much bussenis as possible with support of the Wallon government?
Now, it is my opinion BRU should be more of a pax orientated airport, in stead of a cargo airport, but it is cargo that brings in much money and allows the airport authorities to modernise the entire airport and give their customers a better solution for their operations. Now, for one, if Cargo B effectively goes to LGG, the government should get rid of their stake in the company and instead invest it in Brussels Airlines, Jetairfly or other Belgian carriers which have BRU as home base.
