Brussels Airport ombudsman suspended over conflict of interest concerns

The federal ombudsman for Brussels Airport, Philippe Touwaide, has been suspended for a month following allegations of conflict of interest and a court conviction.

French-language weekly Le Vif revealed that Touwaide was working as a director for an action group against noise pollution from the airport. This dual role is not permitted.

Touwaide was also convicted in 2024 of defamation and harassment of airport executives, a verdict against which he has appealed. Touwaide could also face up to two years in prison for alleged intimidation of Brussels Airport chief executive Arnaud Feist.

Federal mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) was questioned about the matter in the chamber committee on mobility this week and announced that the ombudsman had been suspended for a month pending further investigation.

Crucke emphasised that the presumption of innocence must apply and the minister also wants to examine whether changes need to be made to the rules governing the airport ombudsman service.

“It goes without saying that I will closely monitor this new procedure and draw the necessary conclusions,” said Crucke, adding that he wants to evaluate the status of the federal ombudsman.

Touwaide was appointed as a contractual civil servant and not as a statutory one, which "raises certain questions", he said.

Kjell Vander Elst (Anders), who brought the questions forward along with Britt Huybrechts (Vlaams Belang) and Oskar Seuntjens (Vooruit), emphasised that there was “a very long history of problems between local residents, the airport and the ombudsman service” and welcomed Crucke’s approach.

“It’s in the interests of local residents that they once again have an objective, neutral point of contact,” said Vander Elst.

Huybrechts was also “satisfied with the action plan”, but stated that "the current status of the ombudsman service is inadequate".