On 10 June 2025, Belgium’s federal police confirmed the resignation of the director of aviation police following a controversy over the unauthorized easing of border controls at Brussels Airport. The decision was announced after an internal meeting with senior staff, where it was mutually agreed that the director could no longer continue in their role effectively or calmly. This move has raised significant concerns about airport security and compliance with European Union regulations.
The controversy began on 6 June, when internal communications revealed that the aviation police director had allegedly instructed officers to invoke Article 9 of the Schengen Borders Code to reduce waiting times during peak hours. This article allows for temporary, exceptional measures, permitting border police to only visually check and stamp passports for travellers arriving from outside the Schengen Area without conducting full system checks. However, such measures prevent officers from identifying individuals flagged in security databases, potentially compromising safety. The directive was criticized as a misuse of EU regulations, as Article 9 is not intended for routine use.
At first, the federal police denied the existence of any such directive. However, on Monday, 9 June, they confirmed the authenticity of an internal memo addressed to airport police, which appeared to contradict official border control guidelines. According to the CSC police union, such an approach severely limits the effectiveness of security screening. In response, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin ordered the police to adhere strictly to proper border inspection protocols, especially with the busy summer travel season approaching.
The federal police launched an internal investigation on 8 June to examine the allegations and assess the extent of the directive’s implementation. The investigation aims to ensure compliance with mandatory border checks and address any lapses in security procedures. Meanwhile, the CSC and SNPS police unions announced plans to file a strike notice concerning operations at Brussels Airport but agreed to delay action until the investigation concludes.
To ensure continuity, the federal police stated that a successor to the aviation police director would be appointed shortly, in coordination with the outgoing director. This scandal has sparked a broader discussion about balancing efficiency and security at one of Europe’s key aviation hubs.
