Ziegler France collapses: 1,500 jobs lost in transport sector shock
April 02, 2026
ance
Author: Luc Joris
Millions of ghost passengers at NMBS: figures corrected, profits drop again
April 02, 2026
“Sometimes the wrong train takes you to the right place,” goes a well-known saying. It’s a perfect quote to describe the optimism with which the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB viewed its own passenger figures during all those difficult years, because it now turns out that those figures were far too high for years. Meanwhile, […]
Skydiving from an e-plane? For now, it remains Cerfontaine’s dream
April 02, 2026
The Société Wallone des Aéroports (SOWAER) has appointed a new manager for Cerfontaine airfield, located in the province of Namur. The new manager aims to make the site more environmentally friendly, in part by using an electric aircraft for the skydiving school operating there. However, it’s not that simple: Fully electric aircraft specifically designed for […]
Extra Belgian flights, grounded older jets: airlines’ summer dilemma
April 01, 2026
As demand rises, Brussels Airlines will operate additional flights during the summer vacation. It will therefore add approximately 170 extra round-trip flights within Europe, providing 60,000 additional seats. Lufthansa, the group to which Brussels Airlines belongs, is, on the other hand, exploring various scenarios to cope with rising kerosene prices driven by the war in […]
Less trucks, more boats: Brussels maps ‘greener’ construction future
March 30, 2026
The Port of Brussels is launching an interactive map to facilitate the transport of construction materials via waterways. The tool is primarily aimed at large shipments exceeding 1,000 tons. The interactive map mainly targets companies active in the construction sector, logistics, and large urban construction sites that wish to reduce their carbon footprint, as the […]
Passenger flights resume at Liège Airport
March 30, 2026
Starting in October, AirBaltic will operate passenger flights to the Canary Islands from Liège Airport. The regional airport had not had any passenger flights since the beginning of this year, following TUI fly’s departure. The flights are scheduled through the end of March 2027 and are now available for booking. Twice weekly The Latvian airline […]
Still no LEZ fines in Brussels: what drivers need to know from April 1
March 30, 2026
It appears that, as of April 1, you are still safe for the time being from the automatic €350 fine for drivers entering the Brussels Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) in a Euro 5 diesel or Euro 2 gasoline vehicle. Even though your vehicle is officially banned, no fines will be issued for the vehicles in question […]
Lose an hour, risk a crash: why summer time change can be dangerous
March 27, 2026
This weekend, on the night between Saturday and Sunday, we’ll switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time. At 2:00 a.m., the clock will be set forward one hour, making it 3:00 a.m., which means we’ll get one hour less sleep. But drivers, take note: That single stolen hour of sleep can also have a […]
ENGIE to roll out 835 public chargers across Brussels Region
March 26, 2026
Energy provider ENGIE Vianeo has been awarded a contract to install 835 charging stations for the Brussels-Capital Region. The charging stations must be installed within 2 years. The locations, spread across the Brussels-Capital Region, were determined in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Brussels Environment. They are located based on “heat maps” that […]
From Limburg to Antwerp: regions unite against De Lijn cuts
March 25, 2026
Calm has by no means returned at the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn now that the Flemish government is planning cuts of 35,5 million euros. These cuts would lead to the elimination or shortening of several bus routes in the various provinces. Following an initial week of action in mid-March, the unions at De […]
Most e-scooters sold in Belgium barely meet regulatory standards
March 24, 2026
As many as 35 of the 40 e-scooters inspected in Belgian stores and online shops do not comply with legal requirements. This is according to recent inspections by the Economic Inspectorate. Half of the e-scooters inspected were sold online; the other half were sold in physical stores. Only three of the scooters sold online complied […]
Antwerp galloping into the electric age without the horse
March 24, 2026
Thibault Danthine, the man behind the innovative electric carriages in Brussels, is now also launching sustainable, electric tourist carriage rides in Antwerp. According to the Gazet van Antwerpen, Danthine is starting with two carriages in Antwerp, and, as in the capital, they will be stationed on the Grand Place. For the welfare of the horses and […]
Airlines are trying to cut costs amid rising jet fuel prices
March 24, 2026
Rising jet fuel prices are taking a toll on airlines. For example, United Airlines is cancelling flights due to the drastic increase in fuel prices caused by the war in Iran. KLM, meanwhile, is temporarily halting new hires, limiting business travel, and suspending the hiring of external consultants. United Airlines is suspending approximately 5% of its […]
Greening the world’s car hub: PSA Zeebrugge goes 50% solar
March 23, 2026
The PSA terminal in Zeebrugge, a major port and logistics terminal on the Belgian coast specializing primarily in forest and paper products, now derives half of its energy from solar panels. The nearly 1,900 panels are mounted vertically on the facade of the company’s warehouse, as the roof is not suitable for solar panels. The solar […]
Dutch GoVolta starts Amsterdam-Berlin with revamped Belgian trains
March 20, 2026
The new Dutch international train company, GoVolta, has started operating direct daytime trains from Amsterdam to Berlin and Hamburg. The trains run three times a week. A return ticket from Amsterdam to Berlin costs an average of €30, and the journey is made using 13 trains from the Belgian railway company NMBS/SNCB, which are around […]
Dutch drivers flee high prices as Belgium becomes fuel haven
March 19, 2026
Irritation is growing among gas station owners in the border region between Belgium and the Netherlands. Dutch gas stations have seen revenue drop by an average of 10-20% in recent weeks due to the sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East. In Belgium, on the other hand, gas station […]
Farmer Case against TotalEnergies: ruling postponed until September
March 19, 2026
No ruling has yet been issued in the climate lawsuit filed by Hainaut farmer Hugues Falys against French oil giant TotalEnergies. The Commercial Court of Tournai has postponed the ‘Farmer Case’ until September 9. The court wishes to await the ruling in a Paris court case, which is expected on June 25. TotalEnergies is accused […]
Passenger cars are the leading cause of blind-spot accidents
March 18, 2026
According to Fietsberaad Vlaanderen, a center for cycling expertise, a comprehensive approach is needed to combat blind-spot accidents, because contrary to popular belief, passenger cars account for the largest share of vehicles involved in blind-spot accidents, followed by light trucks (vans). This is reported by the knowledge center for bicycle policy following a study conducted […]
Air travel will more than double by 2050
March 18, 2026
By 2050, global demand for air travel will more than double, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Growth will be concentrated primarily in emerging markets, such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America, while demand will rise less sharply in Europe and the Americas. However, without a radical breakthrough in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) […]
Complaints to NMBS/SNCB ombudsman service rise by nearly 30%
March 17, 2026
Although the number of contacts remained stable at 4,111, the number of admissible cases received last year by Ombudsrail service for passengers of the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB, rose by as much as 28%, to 1,396 new cases. This is the sharpest increase in years and points to persistent, structural problems within the railways. […]
D’Ieteren’s Lucien expands bicycle stores in Brussels region
March 16, 2026
The Lucien bicycle chain, part of the D’Ieteren mobility group, is opening two new stores in Brussels. With the opening of a new location in Schaerbeek and the relocation of the store in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre to Auderghem, Lucien now has six stores in the Brussels-Capital Region. With this restructuring, Lucien aims to optimize its network by relocating […]
IATA warns that airline tickets could become 9% more expensive
March 13, 2026
Airline tickets could rise by up to 9% due to rising oil prices resulting from the war in the Middle East. This was stated by Willie Walsh, CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Military tensions in the Middle East have driven fuel prices to skyrocket, with kerosene more than 70% higher in just […]
Report: ‘Brussels air quality stagnates due to LEZ postponement’
March 13, 2026
Air quality in Brussels has not improved between 2023 and 2025. This is evident from measurements taken by the BRAL urban movement, with support from Brussels Environment, as part of the ExpAIR campaign. What’s more, annual nitrogen dioxide concentrations even rose slightly at the 24 measuring stations. According to BRAL’s ExpAIR report, this result is partly […]
400 Million ’emergency oil barrels’ buy world another 20 days
March 12, 2026
The war in the Middle East continues to disrupt global energy markets and aviation. The announcement of a record release of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves by the 32 members of the International Energy Agency (IEA), of which the US accounts for 172 million, does not seem to be calming the oil […]
Europe goes for small modular nuclear reactors by early 2030s
March 11, 2026
It has been a “strategic mistake” for Europe not to invest more in nuclear energy over the past few decades. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a speech at a nuclear energy summit in Paris. Von der Leyen also announced that the European Commission has a plan ready to […]
Lufthansa pilots call for new strike
March 11, 2026
At Lufthansa, the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots’ union is calling for a new 48-hour strike on Thursday and Friday. Hundreds of flights are at risk of being canceled due to the strike by more than 5,000 pilots, although destinations in the Middle East are expected to be unaffected. The main reason for the strike call is […]
De Lijn launches simplified version of its app
March 10, 2026
The Flemish public transport company De Lijn is introducing a simplified version of its app. Compared to the current app, this version has been simplified, focusing on basic information, large buttons, and easy navigation. The basic version, or simple mode, was developed for people who are not very digitally savvy or need extra support. Not […]
IATA Safety Report 2025: one accident per 759,646 flights
March 10, 2026
The aviation industry delivered a solid safety performance last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Although the number of accidents in commercial aviation fell compared to 2024, the number of fatalities rose to 394, compared to 244 in the previous year, mainly due to two spectacular accidents in India and the United […]
Belgium’s rail strike culture faces yet another three-day test
March 09, 2026
At the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB, a three-day rail strike has started that will last until Wednesday at 10 p.m. Among other things, the unions are protesting the government’s plans to end permanent appointments on the railways and against government measures affecting the pension rights of railway staff. On the first of three strike […]
Brussels Airlines sees profits halved due to national union actions
March 09, 2026
Brussels Airlines has posted a profit for the third year in a row. Still, adjusted operating profit (EBIT) halved to 28 million euros, partly due to national union action that disrupted air traffic seven times, costing the airline 15 million euros, as well as drone sightings and a cyberattack on Brussels Airport. Another disruption is […]
Dutch Railways makes a profit for the first time since 2019
March 06, 2026
Last year, Dutch Railways (NS) made a profit from passenger transport for the first time since 2019. The profit of 11 million euros is due to price increases for train tickets and season tickets, a slight increase in passenger numbers, and cost savings. Revenues from passenger transport rose by 7% to 3.36 billion euros. In […]
Thirty hectares of Van Hool industrial land put up for auction
March 06, 2026
The first plots of land belonging to the bankrupt bus manufacturer Van Hool in Koningshooikt, Lier, are up for sale. Interested parties can purchase 30 hectares of industrial land via the Biddit website. Bidding starts on June 8, with a starting price of 20 million euros. The question is whether there will be a single […]
Flanders collects nearly €18 million in truck road pricing fines
March 05, 2026
Last year, the Flemish Tax Administration (VLABEL) issued more than 47,000 fines to trucks that were not in compliance with road pricing regulations. This generated 17,98 million euros in revenue. In eight out of ten cases, the drivers were foreign, mainly from the Netherlands, France, Poland, Germany, and Spain. Automatically via cameras Foreign transporters, especially, […]
Belgium plans military evacuation for citizens stranded in Gulf
March 04, 2026
Like most European countries, Belgium is also busy organizing the repatriation of Belgians stranded in the Middle East due to the military escalation in Iran. Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) is working closely with Minister of Defense Theo Francken (N-VA) to this end. There are currently almost 26,000 Belgians in the affected […]
Belgian rail significantly increases fine for fare-dodging
March 03, 2026
Last year, the Belgian public railway company NMBS/SNCB issued administrative fines totaling 32.5 million euros, almost 5 million more than in 2024. The increase comes almost exclusively from category 3 fines for fare-dodging, which account for almost all fines. In 2024, NMBS/SNCB issued 89,000 fines (+16,654), amounting to 32.5 million euros. The most fines were issued […]
Stranded by war: how Gulf escalation cripples global aviation
March 02, 2026
The recent American and Israeli attacks on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliatory attacks, are having a huge impact on international aviation. Due to the direct military threat and airspace closure, the three Arab hubs, Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi (AUH), the world’s most important transfer hubs, have become virtually unusable for international air […]
33 Million trips and counting: shared mobility accelerates in Belgium
February 27, 2026
Bike sharing is becoming increasingly popular in Belgium, but the number of shared cars on offer is declining. This is according to figures collected by Way To Go, a network organization that promotes shared mobility. Nevertheless, car sharing in Flanders grew by 22% in terms of user numbers. And while Brussels is the e-scooter capital, […]
High-speed ICE to link Cologne with Brussels Airport
February 27, 2026
From September 7th, there will be a new high-speed train connection between Antwerp and Cologne, with a stop at Brussels Airport. The new train connection, which will run twice a day in each direction and will also stop in Liège and Leuven in Belgium, will be launched by Deutsche Bahn. Brussels Airlines, among others, will […]
Flemish driving test centers tighten rules to combat fraud
February 26, 2026
The Flemish government and driving test centers are taking measures to combat exam fraud and abuse, according to the Mediahuis newspapers. From now on, it will be mandatory to register via the Itsme app or another digital key, such as an eID, to make an appointment for a driving exam, and there will be many […]
Low sun causes 160 accidents per year on Walloon roads
February 25, 2026
We haven’t seen much sun in Belgium this year, but now that the first signs of spring are appearing, the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR) is warning about glare from the sun in traffic at this time of the year. During these months, the sun is low on the horizon at exactly the times when […]
Flemish kilometer charge for trucks becomes ‘greener’
February 24, 2026
From July 1, CO2 emissions from vehicles will be taken into account when calculating the kilometer charge for trucks in Flanders. The more environmentally friendly the truck, the lower the rate. This has been announced by Viapass, the body that coordinates the kilometer charge in Belgium. This rate change aligns with European requirements and aims […]
De Lijn faces new strikes and municipal revolt over service cuts
February 24, 2026
To say that things are currently very turbulent at the Flemish public transport company De Lijn would be an understatement. For example, the unions at De Lijn have just submitted a strike notice for nine days of action in March and April. The reason for this is the additional cuts announced by the Flemish government […]
Airbus aims for take-off: 870 aircraft and record profits ahead
February 23, 2026
Airbus expects to deliver a record number of aircraft this year. In the title, the European aircraft manufacturer expects to deliver 870 commercial aircraft, significantly more than the 793 it delivered to customers in 2025. This would be a record – the current record dates from 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, with 863. Net profit […]
Historic net profit of €1.75 billion for Air France-KLM
February 20, 2026
Air France-KLM can close the 2025 financial year with a bang: last year, the group posted a historic net profit of 1,75 billion euros, a remarkable achievement after the horror years of the Covid-19 pandemic. The group’s recovery is mainly due to a strategic shift towards higher-end customers and an unexpected windfall, such as lower […]
Back on track: Brussels and The Hague revive rail cooperation
February 20, 2026
The express tram between Hasselt and Maastricht was a complete failure, but Belgium and the Netherlands are once again stepping up their cooperation to tackle cross-border rail connections. Only this time, it is not a collaboration between Flanders and its northern neighbors, but one at the national level. Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) […]
80% of De Lijn passengers satisfied with their journey
February 19, 2026
It seems like a PR stunt, because although newspapers are full of stories about canceled journeys, empty flex buses, outdated buses, or buses that leave too early, 8 out of 10 passengers are satisfied with their journeys on the Flemish public transport company De Lijn. The positive satisfaction survey score from last year, conducted on […]
More than half of De Lijn’s flexible buses run without passengers
February 18, 2026
More efficient, customized transport. Although the idea sounds appealing, the flex buses introduced by Flemish public transport company De Lijn in early 2024 to replace the old dial-a-bus service are anything but a resounding success. More than half, or 52%, of the nearly 18 million km traveled by flex buses last year were without passengers, […]
From eel farmer to bicycle Giant: King Liu’s 91-year ride
February 17, 2026
King Liu, founder of Taiwanese bicycle brand Giant, passed away yesterday at the age of 91. Liu founded Giant in 1972 and built his small business into the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, producing more than 6 million bicycles per year at its peak. Liu was also passionate about bicycle culture, even though he himself had […]
Antwerp pre-metro tunnel closed for almost a year
February 16, 2026
The pre-metro tunnel in Antwerp between the Right and Left Banks of the river Scheldt will close for renovation on May 4. The work, which is urgently needed after years of underinvestment, is expected to last until the end of March 2027, which is 11 months. Some sections of the pre-metro tunnel are now more […]
Belgium draws the line at 0.8% alcohol: two-week driving ban
February 16, 2026
Drunk drivers will now be punished in the same way throughout Belgium. Anyone caught driving with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.8% will have their driver’s license suspended for 15 days on the spot. Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) has signed a circular letter to this effect, which takes effect immediately and […]
Second Tintin aircraft for Brussels Airlines
February 13, 2026
As of today, Brussels Airlines has two Tintin aircraft in service, though this will be temporary. The airline is introducing a new themed aircraft based entirely on the characters from the famous comic series by artist Hergé. The first Tintin aircraft, which was also Brussels Airlines’ very first themed aircraft in 2015, will be removed […]
Medical fitness to drive: the Belgian law many drivers ‘forget’
February 12, 2026
One in five Walloons is unaware of the minimum medical standards required to drive a vehicle. This is according to a survey by the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR). The agency is using the results to launch a campaign on fitness to drive based on health, an essential but often overlooked aspect of road safety. […]
Tihange demolition suspended as government eyes nuclear comeback
February 11, 2026
The demolition permit for two cooling towers at the nuclear power plant in Tihange, near Huy in the province of Liège, has been suspended following an appeal. Operator Engie wants to proceed quickly with the dismantling. Still, the federal government and Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet (MR) are reluctant to allow it because they want to […]
Lufthansa grounded: pilots and cabin crew strike across Germany
February 11, 2026
Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew will walk out tomorrow due to a wage dispute and working conditions. The strike will affect all Lufthansa flights and those operated by its cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo, departing from Germany. The exact extent of the cancellations is still unclear, but passengers should expect flight cancellations and delays in any […]
A temporary route that wasn’t: how RNP-07 came to roar over Brussels
February 10, 2026
The frequent use of a new flight path has meant that 450,000 Brussels residents in the municipalities of Koekelberg, Schaerbeek, and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean have been subjected to intensive overflights since the summer. The Mayors concerned had an initial, disappointing meeting on the issue with Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés). However, the latter has since […]
Touring considers LEZ fines in Brussels disproportionate
February 09, 2026
Mobility organization Touring has never been a fervent supporter of low-emission zones (LEZ). While in Flanders, for example, a coalition of environmental associations has gone to the Council of State to challenge the freezing of LEZ in Antwerp and Ghent, Touring says that the freezing of LEZ is a good thing in the long run. […]
Flanders pushes heat pumps with €8,000 subsidy and lower power bills
February 09, 2026
Flemish families who purchase a heat pump can count on a subsidy of up to 8,000 euros. They can also take out a low-interest or, in some cases, interest-free renovation loan to purchase a heat pump. Because electricity is now four times as expensive as gas, the Flemish government will also implement an energy tax […]
Traffic manslaughter included in Belgian Penal Code
January 30, 2026
Traffic manslaughter is now a criminal offense in Belgium. The Chamber has given the green light for this. Previously, fatal accidents were usually classified as ‘unintentional homicide’. The new legislation, based on a bill drafted by Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), now makes vehicular homicide a separate crime with significantly increased penalties. The call for […]
Most fines collected by Belgium’s FPS Finance come from traffic violations
January 30, 2026
In 2025, Belgium’s FPS Finance collected 646.4 million euros in fines. This represents an increase of 22.4 million euros compared to 2024. Traffic violations account for most of these cases. The increase is due to more efficient collection, as well as rate increases and the explosive growth of cameras along Belgian roads. Most of the money […]