Oh the joys of flying! The freedom of azure skies with warm sands awaiting at your destination. The act of boarding a plane is often the prelude to a time of relaxation and adventure, a change of scene and often a bit of excitement on the way.
Granted, it can be a hassle getting to the airport, checking baggage in and running the gauntlet of airport security. But with post-pandemic passenger numbers bouncing back, it seems that many think this a price worth paying to once again venture beyond the countries we have been confined to in recent years.
Indeed, with airlines competing to lure customers back, knock-down prices have brought exotic get-aways within reach of more limited budgets. Companies such as Ryanair have made democratising air travel their mission statement. Yet appealing as this may be for passengers, those working for the company have been less pleased with the drive to cut costs and boost profits.
In fact, Ryanair cabin crew had enough and will be going on strike at Belgian airports this coming weekend. This will no doubt disappoint and frustrate many of the passengers whose plans will be disrupted (that is, of course, the whole point of strike action). But the conditions that staff have been forced to work under are quite clearly unsustainable and need to be addressed.
For those that are unfortunate enough to be impacted, knowing your rights will at least help avoid the worst of the financial cost – although don't expect compensation to be immediate: airlines sometimes have to be led kicking and screaming through long-winded legal battles before coughing up.
Though little consolation, those who are affected have time to change plans before the weekend. For all the possibilities that air travel opens up, some might start questioning whether it is worth the uncertainty, long queues, not to mention the environmental cost.
Have you been affected? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. Warm weather results in 2.5 million overnight stays at Belgian coast
Following a slow start during the first week of the Easter holidays, the mild spring weather during the second week, as well as the extended Easter weekend, drove an increase in the number of overnight stays on the Belgian coast. Read more.
2. Ryanair strike this weekend: What are your rights if your flight is affected?
Cabin crew for the budget Irish airline Ryanair will go on a three-day strike in Brussels Airport and Charleroi airport, from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 April. The impact on passengers is expected to be significant. Read more.
3. Popularity of cycling riding high as Brussels Mobility launches new campaign
Cycling is increasingly becoming the preferred way to get around Brussels. In the first two months of this year, the number of cyclists in the Belgian capital has increased significantly. Read more.
4. One dead in new shooting in Molenbeek
On Monday evening, one person died in a shooting in the Beekkant district of the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, according to the Brussels-West Police Zone. Read more.
5. Unnecessary admin costs Belgium €5 billion a year
The Federal Planning Office has calculated that the administrative burden for Belgian companies came to €4.94 billion. It consists of the amount of working hours that a company spends on dealing with administration, reported De Standaard. Read more.
6. Belgium to tackle major international tax fraud
Belgium’s Federal Government has prepared a second action plan to tackle major international fraud, announced Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem. The plan was approved during the budget review in early April. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: A war walk in the Ardennes
You can find several walks in the Ardennes that take you through the forests and fields where the Battle of the Bulge was fought in the winter of 1944. Read more.
