The closure of Belgian airspace to Russian aircraft could lead to economic unemployment at Liege Airport, where two Russian cargo airlines operate. Brussels Airport rather expects limited effects.
Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sunday 27 February that the European Union was closing airspace to Russian aircraft. That closure could affect Liege Airport. “This will affect not only the flow of goods, but also the workers loading and unloading goods. Economic unemployment cannot be ruled out,” spokesman Christian Delcourt told Belga.
Two Russian cargo carriers operate at Liege Airport: Atran with three to six flights a week and AirBridgeCargo, which operates 11 flights a week. According to Delcourt, the airport handles 86,000 tonnes on behalf of AirBridgeCargo, accounting for about 6% of its total volume of 1.4 million tonnes.
Flights from Atran and AirBridgeCArgo still departed from Liège airport on Sunday afternoon. Russian airlines have 24 hours to bring their planes home.
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