Reform of the availability of skeyes air traffic controllers

A Royal Decree of August 30, 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette of September 7, 2026 (p. 49107), reforms the availability regime with waiting pay for air traffic controllers of the autonomous public enterprise skeyes. The text, referenced [C − 2026/006472], amends the Royal Decree of April 23, 2017, which determined the conditions for granting availability with waiting pay and pre-retirement leave, in order to encourage these agents to remain in their operational duties longer.

The reform is part of the federal pension reforms and the general evolution toward a society where people work longer. It takes into account the particular nature of the air traffic controller function, which is essential for safety and subject to strict operational and medical fitness requirements, which may force these agents to end their operational duties before the legal retirement age.

A progressive regime to encourage remaining in activity

The new regime varies the waiting pay based on when the availability is taken and the seniority acquired. Officials who remain active longer receive a higher waiting allowance. The text also accelerates the increase in the age at which availability can be taken, moving from 58 years as of January 1, 2030, to 58 years as of January 1, 2027.

The waiting pay is set as follows, depending on the timing of the placement on availability relative to day “P” (minimum age of 57, increased to 58 as of 2027):

60% of the last active salary for basic availability;
65% for availability taken at the earliest P-4 years;
70% for availability taken at the earliest P-3 years;
80% for availability taken at the earliest from P-2 years.

The waiting pay is further increased by 1%, up to a maximum of 5%, for each year of service beyond twenty years in the relevant grades.

A transitional regime for 2027-2028

By way of derogation from the 5% ceiling, officials placed on availability between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2028, benefit from a transitional regime under which the ceiling for the seniority increase is temporarily raised from 5% to 10%, provided that the waiting pay does not exceed 85% of the last active salary. These measures aim to modulate the reduction of the base percentage and limit the consequences of the pension reform for the concerned staff members.

The decree applies to requests for availability and/or pre-retirement leave submitted as of its date of entry into force. Requests submitted previously remain subject to the provisions of the Royal Decree of 23 April 2017 as they were applicable before the entry into force of the present decree.

A text prepared in consultation

The decree was adopted on the basis of the law of 21 March 1991 reforming certain public economic enterprises, in particular Article 176, § 7. It was prepared following the opinion of the Finance Inspector of 24 March 2026, the agreement of the Minister of Budget of 22 June 2026, the opinion of the skeyes Joint Committee of 3 October 2025, and opinion 79.646/2/V of the Council of State issued on 6 August 2026. The Minister of Mobility is responsible for the execution of the decree, given in Brussels on 30 August 2026.

This reform should make it possible to reconcile the requirements of aviation safety with adequate social protection, while encouraging air traffic controllers to extend their operational careers for as long as is reasonable. For the agents concerned, this translates into more favorable waiting pay for those who remain active longer, with a reinforced safety net during the 2027-2028 transitional period.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette of 7 September 2026, 2nd edition, p. 49107 — Royal Decree of 30 August 2026 amending the Royal Decree of 23 April 2017 determining the conditions for granting availability with waiting pay and pre-retirement leave with waiting pay at the autonomous public enterprise skeyes, reference [C − 2026/006472].