Belgian pilot unions have filed a strike notice, denouncing an "unjust situation" created by the collision between European aviation safety law, which prohibits flying beyond age 65, and Belgium's pension reform, which raises the legal retirement age to 66 and then 67. The unions demand a structural solution, while Brussels Airlines calls the strike threat "irresponsible" in a sector already weakened by social conflicts and geopolitical tensions. In a joint front, unions ACV/CSC, ABVV/FGTB, and ACLVB/CGLSB issued a strike notice covering the entire Belgian aviation sector starting this Monday. Their goal: force federal authorities to resolve a contradiction that has become explosive for airline pilots. Since January 1, 2025, Belgium's pension reform progressively raises the legal retirement age to 66, then 67 in the coming years. However, EU law, based on ICAO standards and transposed into Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, prohibits pilots from commercial flights after 65, or even 60 for single-pilot operations. "This combination is simply absurd," the unions state. "Pilots are required to keep working, yet at the same time they must stop flying at 65. The legislation is clearly outdated." For pilot representatives, this creates a legal and social void: at 65, captains and co-pilots must leave the cockpit for safety reasons but are not yet entitled to a full pension under the new Belgian rules. The Belgian Airline Pilots Association (BeCA) speaks of a "serious disconnect between European regulations and the Belgian pension reform." A BeCA post summarizes: "EU law prohibits airline pilots from operating beyond 65. Yet, since January 1, 2025, Belgium requires all workers to remain active until 66, soon 67. This leaves pilots in a legal limbo: grounded by aviation safety, but too young to fully benefit from national pension rights." The unions consider the situation "increasingly untenable" and warn that without swift intervention, tension within the profession will worsen. They cite a recent case of a pilot fired on his 65th birthday for "force majeure" due to inability to continue flying, illustrating the absurdity of the current legal framework. Pension Minister Jan Jambon argues that only a minority of pilots would be affected, as most would meet the 42-year career condition for early retirement before 65, or could transition to non-flying roles like instruction or administration. This argument is firmly rejected by pilot organizations. BeCA "vigorously opposes Minister Jambon's reaction, which does not address the core problems of our pension system." The unions denounce a discourse that "shifts responsibility onto individuals and their employability" without changing a legal framework deemed "fundamentally unsustainable." By filing the strike notice, the unions aim to pressure the government, particularly the Pension Minister, to secure "structural and equitable" solutions. Several options are being discussed: a derogatory regime for pilots, specific recognition of the arduous nature and medical constraints of the profession, adjustment of the required career length, or a bridge mechanism allowing retirement at 65 in line with EU safety rules. Brussels Airlines has strongly reacted, calling the strike threat "irresponsible" while claiming to "understand the concerns expressed by pilots." The airline, a Lufthansa subsidiary, says it continues dialogue with the federal government and its pilots but believes strike action is "not the right response" since the dispute primarily concerns a conflict between Belgian pension law and EU regulations. The company recalls that the sector has already experienced several social movements in recent years, including pilot strikes in 2022, strike threats in 2024, and multiple national strikes related to pension reforms in 2025 and 2026. "In a context of high geopolitical uncertainty and rising costs, each strike day further weakens the company, its passengers, and the entire Belgian aviation ecosystem," the airline warns.