Liege Airport's general manager dismissed over 'gross misconduct'

Liege Airport's board of directors, which met this week, have confirmed the dismissal of general manager Luc Partoune, announcing a recruitment process "quickly" to replace him.

The board also confirmed that Frédéric Jacquet, currently deputy managing director, had been appointed interim managing director to replace Partoune.

The airport's board of directors said that a recruitment process "will be launched quickly to provide the airport with a full-time general manager in the coming months."

The members of the board also stressed in the press release that "the most important thing is to maintain the confidence of all the employees and partners, who make the airport what it is today and who believe in the airport of tomorrow. The social, economic and environmental challenges that lie ahead are extremely important and must be the focus of all our energies."

Partoune was dismissed over charges of gross misconduct which included the alleged systematic absence of tenders, with contracts awarded in return for benefits and favours, and claims of undocumented expenses totalling €45,000 per year. He is accused of accepting private jet trips, sales of apartments below market prices, and cases of fine wines in exchange for contracts.

The decision to dismiss Partoune comes after the Walloon minister in charge of airports, Jean-Luc Crucke, demanded complete transparency regarding the agreement signed between the airport and the company JCP Conseil, headed up by Jean-Claude Phlypo, former boss of the Walloon Regional Public Transport Corporation and a former Socialist councillor in Blégny.

According to Le Soir newspaper, this consultancy agreement, linked to an amount of €60,000, was passed without a tender, which Deloitte, which is currently carrying out an audit at the Liège airport, pointed out.

In a letter to the president of Liège Airport, Crucke urged airport officials "to shed light, as soon as possible, on the facts mentioned" and to submit a written report by 9 February at the latest. "If necessary, it is also up to you to take any necessary precautionary measures to protect the interests of the airport," he wrote.

The airport’s board responded, announcing a meeting has been called to "address the report and recommendations of the Audit Committee from the 2nd phase of the investigation" conducted by Deloitte. It is therefore "inappropriate" to partially answer the questions asked before this meeting, Liège Airport officials said.

A response will be provided to the minister in charge of airports "as soon as possible" based on the decisions that will be adopted by the board of directors, they added.