Why doesn't the Flemish government aid Brussels Airport?

[Conti764]

I am strongly pro-BRU (not anti-CRL or LGG, let's be clear on that) and I have participated in many BRU vs CRL/LGG-discussions which even ended up in Flanders vs Wallonia-discussions. I have started this thread due to a remark made in the LGG latest news topic and since I don't want to hijack that topic nor do I want that topic to end up in a new 'regional' discussion, I opened up a new thread...

There actually is something that bothers me... We all know the Walloon government gives some 'incentives' (to give it a neutral name) to companies flying to LGG and CRL, why doens't the Flemish government do the same to companies flying to BRU? After all, it is the second biggest economical pool in Flanders, right after the port of Antwerp. And yesterday, with the announced closure of Opel Antwerp, it came very clear once again we are not a top of the notch region for foreign investors to invest in.

So let's focus around the strong points we do have. We have a fairly large airport on our soil, providing jobs to many thousands directly and even more indirectly. But while BRU, mainly due to economical circomstances, lost pax, CRL grew once again. Not because it is such a big market, but because companies flying to the airport get something sweet from the Walloon government. The same matters for LGG regarding cargo.

So, in my humble opinion, i.s.o. whining about Walloon support to CRL and LGG, it is time the Flemish government starts investing in their own economical crown jewels, BRU, but also the port of Antwerp and many other industries we are known for in the world.

So, my original question remains... Why doesn't Flanders invest in BRU the same way Walloonia invests in CRL and LGG?

[jan_olieslagers]

Flemish government is not interested in aviation, if not actually anti-aviation. Don't ask me why, ask them.

[Acid-drop]

CRL grew once again. Not because it is such a big market, but bla blah

I don't agree ...
CRL is dealing with a truely a booming market. LGG quite a lot less...
and the grow is clear, LGG do everthing to not suffer from the crisis, where CRL fly like there is no crisis at all.

We have a fairly large airport on our soil

That's a big problem to me. BRU is the national airport, it should be supported by all regions. In fact, we would have a lot less problems if the airport was in brussels capital region.

Why doesn't Flanders invest in BRU the same way Walloonia invests in CRL and LGG?

Good question ... my PoV ? (a lot will disagree), but I believe that Flanders was such a successfull region, with so much money that they didn't care about this dirty business ...
Wallonia had to find a way to create jobs. Very different approach.

[airazurxtror]

The Wallon government certainly help CRL and LGG.
But there is something else.
- CRL grows thanks to the LCC whilst BRU apparently does not want them (see the saga of the never-coming LCC terminal).
- LGG grows mainly due to the cargo flights, who are allowed to come at any hour, day or night - whilst BRU does not want them at night because of the noise (see the fate of DHL, practically thrown out).

[Conti764]

I don't agree ...
CRL is dealing with a truely a booming market. LGG quite a lot less...
and the grow is clear, LGG do everthing to not suffer from the crisis, where CRL fly like there is no crisis at all.

Quoting me with 'blah blah blah...' proves of a lack of respect towards other uses of this forum.

CRL is growing mainly on behalf of one company: Ryanair. And let's not fool each other, we all know on which base FR sets up operations at various airport and what happens when an airport doesn't follow (see Manchester). And then again we all know how CRL can offer such low rates to FR.

That's a big problem to me. BRU is the national airport, it should be supported by all regions. In fact, we would have a lot less problems if the airport was in brussels capital region.

I don't agree, because that implies expanding french speaking Brussels region far accros the known and accepted borders. Especially the Brussels region should understand what happens if they keep working against the airport. Do they (and some on this forum) even realise how many Bruxellois work on the airport? Lots of staff at the airport speaks french, so putting down the airport also puts down lots of work for french speaking staff... But hey, they can all be transferred to Charleroi, can't they?

Good question ... my PoV ? (a lot will disagree), but I believe that Flanders was such a successfull region, with so much money that they didn't care about this dirty business ...
Wallonia had to find a way to create jobs. Very different approach.

Maybe, but in Flanders we see a sharp decrease in employment and economical strength. It is time for the flemish government to wake up and take the necessary steps, even in this 'dirty industry' which gets cleaner and cleaner every day...

[Lyulka]

Brussles Airport is a federal matter, the others are regional. So it's not up to the Flemish governement to invest, but to the federal. If Flanders would invest on its own, the result would be people saying "Why just Flemish money?" Flanders should invest in Antwerp or Ostend...

Yet an other example of the "Belgian Situation".

[Vinnie-Winnie]

Simple because the flemish government in general spends its money in a much better way than the Wallonian government!

Not saying that aviation is not important: Just saying that BRU is spoiled by choice, that is obviously with one 1 stop which to be honest is not ideal but good enough!

What's the point in spending millions of euros in projects that won't create many jobs, and that will only bring a limited economic impact?

[sn26567]

The Flemish government is helping Brussels Airport. If I remember correctly, when SN Brussels Airlines was created, Davignon and Lippens looked for inverstors, not only among industrial and financial companies, but also at institutional investors. Tha Walloon and the Brussels goverments both accepted and are still shareholders of SN Air Holding? The Flemish government refused, saying that it preferred to invest in thye airport itself and in facilities around the airport.

It might be a good way to create jos turned towards exports, but also to attract airlines around these jobs.

[Atlantis]

It is not that simple to explain. But some things are important:

- Brussels Airport is in hands of a private investor, Macquarie Airports 75%, and the Belgian federal government 25%.

- the Flemish government will not invest at this moment in the airport itselfs because of no reason to do it.

- the Flemish government is investing in a lot of cases around the airport: transport, industrial proporties, jobs etc and this is cooperation with VOKA.

- the Flemish government is able to attract new carriers but so is the Federal government.


But more inportant to attract new carriers and to satisfy the current carriers is to create a stable juridical setup for the airport. The same noise regulations (BRU, Flanders).

[regi]

yep, Brussel Airport is a national matter. Despite it is localised on Flemish soil, all or most related state organisations are federal matter. So, we come to the point that Conti764 asks us Flemish people to use our nett income ( tax money ) to pay for salaries of people we as Flemish are not entitled to regulate.
example: Belgocontrol.
Why should we pay tax money to appoint friends of politicians? And if it is a political nomination, it should be done by a Flemish politician, not by a Walloon person of very questionable backgrounds. ( M. Daerden )
Sorry, only in Dutch, but at least from a quality source: ( and in French in La libre Belqique as well )
http://www.tijd.be/nieuws/binnenland/Mi ... 06-438.art
If you read about Freddy Van Gaever, you know why the Flemish Government is reluctant to pass money in the hands of the old boys network.
http://www.politiek.freddyvangaever.be

I think this is not the kind of reply you expected or wanted.

[regi]

And don't forget that Flanders supports the aviation industry heavely through the organisation FLAG
http://www.flag.be
It is in English.
We read that 11 Flemish member companies of the FLAG organisation participate in the A-380 program and 4 on the B-747 .
We see very close near or at the airport:
ASCO, Pro data Systems, Sabena Flight Academy, Sabena Technics, Space Application services and AKKA.
So, dear Conti 764, Flanders does support aviation related companies on Flemish soil on or near the airport .

And that are just FLAG members. I have no clue how many other companies receive direct or indirect financial support from the Flemish government.
But a question with an example: should Flanders subsidise ADB ( airport lumination systems ) after it was sold to Siemens and than to Montagu, a foreign company ?
http://www.adb-air.com/contacts.aspx?id=5485

[Buzz]

You can make all the arguments you want, but the answer is quite simple actually...

BSCA is 100% owned by the Walloon governement, while BAC is a private company, of which 25% is owned by the Federal governement. Why would the Flemish governement invest in an airport that is not theirs and that they have no financial interest in?

[Acid-drop]

You can make all the arguments you want, but the answer is quite simple actually...

BSCA is 100% owned by the Walloon governement, while BAC is a private company, of which 25% is owned by the Federal governement. Why would the Flemish governement invest in an airport that is not theirs and that they have no financial interest in?

It has been sold to the italians, no ?
Same for LGG, 25% to paris airport (ok 25% is a lot different than 75%)

[airazurxtror]

As a matter of fact, the consortium SAVE/Holding Communal owns 27,65% of BSCA, to be raised to 48,89 later.

http://www.express.be/sectors/fr/logist ... 118138.htm