Air Belgium bankruptcy: Passengers worry about their money!
Air Belgium bankruptcy: Passengers worry about their money!
Vienna, Österreich - The Belgian Airline Air Belgium is officially insolvent. On April 30, 2025, the court opened the bankruptcy proceedings in Wallonian Brabant after the airline had already stopped passenger operation in October 2023. The bankruptcy was triggered by massive losses, especially by pandeme-related declines in the China business. The bankruptcy proceedings lead to frightening consequences: not reimbursed flight tickets are part of the bankruptcy estate, which means that reimbursement for affected travelers is unlikely. This message was confirmed by [vienna.at] (https://www.vienna.at/air-belgium-insolvent-passagiere-dohen-leer-leer-
The CMA CGM Group, a French logistical giant, has taken over the remaining freight business from Air Belgium and secured 124 jobs, including 74 pilots. However, the rest of the airline is liquidated and the liquidation leaves the affected passengers and travel providers in the financial clamp. According to estimates, the bankruptcy caused around 8 million euros in damage, whereby 5 million euros alone are incurred by tour operators and agencies.
protection of travelers and consequences for the industry
The European umbrella organization of travel agencies and tour operators (ECTAA) criticizes the current legal situation. Due to the bankruptcy of Air Belgium, Ectaa found that many passengers will probably not receive any reimbursements because their claims are part of the bankruptcy proceedings. Ectaa urgently demands EU-wide regulations that better protect against airline insolvencies. Frank Oostdam, President of Ectaa, emphasizes the considerable risks for consumers and travel agents in the current system. Meanwhile, Niky Terzakis, CEO of Air Belgium, regretted the effects on passenger operations and employees. Independent.co.uk reports as a travel agency group changes in EU law.
Currently there are no uniform legal protection mechanisms for travelers in the EU, especially in airline insolvencies. Travel brokers are often legally obliged to offer alternative tickets, which brings them into a difficult situation when an airline goes. This situation is not new and was tightened by the experiences that were collected during the Covid 19 pandemic and the insolvency of the tour group Thomas Cook 2019, which is reflected in the discussions of the EU Commission about strengthening right-wing travelers, as is reflected Germany.Represation.ec.europa.eu reported.
planned reforms at European level
In view of incidents such as the bankruptcy of Air Belgium, the EU Commission plans to revise the existing rules to improve travel rights. The aim is to learn from decades of experience and close gaps in regulation. This includes measures that are intended to improve protection for travelers in bookings via intermediaries and strengthen support for travelers with disabilities. The new proposals also include expanded protection for passengers on combined trips, which could have significant effects on travel behavior in the EU.The comprehensive Christmas season in which many families book their trips could now be burdened by uncertainties and legal questions. The problems of Air Belgium symbolically stand for greater challenges that the entire aviation industry and its customers face. The facet of consumer rights in aviation is thus a central topic for the upcoming political discussions and reforms.
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| Ort | Vienna, Österreich |
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