COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
As you have already noticed, the situation changes from hour to hour. In order to provide you with timely and correct information, the BCAA has created a specific “COVID-19 (Coronavirus)” web page. On this page the BCAA will regularly post information related to the Coronavirus that may be useful to you. May we therefore ask you to consult this page regularly.
Light aviation
In addition to article 5 of the Ministerial Decree (MB) of 28 October 2020, amended by article 3 of the MB of 1 November 2020, the BCAA informs about what is possible for the activities in the field of aviation from 02 November 2020. These instructions remain applicable until further notice. It is recalled that these explanatory notes to the MB of October 28, 2020, amended by the MB of November 1, 2020, do not replace or change the national, European and international rules and obligations that apply in the civil aviation sector.
These guidelines will also be distributed to law enforcement. Likewise, the BCAA will monitor the application of these guidelines.
More information about these measures can be found here (revision 2 of 06/11/2020, Dutch) or here (revision 2 of 06/11/2020, French). Unfortunately, there are no English translations of these documents.
Commercial passenger transportation
In the context of COVID-19 and the resumption of commercial passenger aviation activities as from 8 June 2020 and until further notice, any airport operator will have to apply the health measures detailed in this 
document (PDF, 235.96 KB). Any passenger airline operating on Belgian territory is invited to enforce the health measures detailed in this document (PDF, 235.96 KB) except Chapter 2-B point “Obligation entering into force on 1 August 2020 concerning passengers travelling to Belgium” which is applicable to passenger airlines and passengers travelling to Belgium.
Exemptions and approvals
The Belgian Civil Aviation Authority has granted some exemptions and approvals regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
| domain | topic | link exemption |
|---|---|---|
| ACW / OPS / ATCO / CAW | licences, ratings, endorsements, certificates and attestations |
|
| Attachment to Part-FCL licences (PDF, 41.77 KB) |
||
| CAW | airworthiness review certificate | |
| DG | recurrent training programmes | |
| ACW | licences, ratings, endorsements, certificates and attestations | |
| BCAA/Exemptions/FCL/2020-01 (PDF, 279.82 KB) (expired) |
||
|
|
||
| CAW | Postponement of applicability date of latest amendment to Regulation (EU) 1321/2014 (art 3 and art 4) | BCAA-Exemptions-TEC-2020-08 (PDF, 107.53 KB) |
| ACW | Deferral of full implementation of new licensing requirements for balloon pilots | BCAA/Exemptions/FCL/2020-02 (PDF, 200.44 KB) |
| ACW | Deferral of applicability of requirements on PBN training | BCAA/Exemptions/FCL/2020-03 (PDF, 145.48 KB) |
| ACW | Deferral of full implementation of new licensing requirements for sailplane pilots | BCAA/Exemptions/FCL/2020-04 (PDF, 193.71 KB) |
| DG | Hand sanitizers and disinfectants |
|
Explanation domains:
- ACW: Aircrew
- OPS: Air Operations
- ATCO: Air Traffic Control Officer
- CAW: Continuing Airworthiness
- DG: Dangerous Goods
Belgian recommendations and other measures
Theoretical examinations for pilot licences
In the context of the coronavirus crisis, the theoretical examinations for obtaining a pilot's licence or a rating (ATPL, CPL, IR for aeroplane or helicopter, private pilot for aeroplane, helicopter or glider, microlight or national balloon), the didactic examinations for the microlight and paramotor instructor rating, as well as the radiotelephony examinations are cancelled until 3rd May included.
Drones
Following the recent adjustment of measures taken to combat COVID-19, certain restrictions on RPAS (drones) flights will be lifted from 4 May 2020. However, a distinction should be made between RPAS flights for professional purposes and those for recreational purposes and model aviation. Naturally, the ministerial decree on urgent measures to limit the spread of the corona virus COVID-19 also applies to pilots and operators of drones and to model flying.
More information about measures related to drone flights can be found here (only in Dutch) or here (only in French).
Continuous airworthiness aircraft
More information regarding maintenance flights and the continuing airworthiness of aircraft during this COVID-19 period can be found here (PDF, 190.41 KB).
Passenger rights
More information on the impact of the corona crisis on passenger rights can be found here.
Border crossings
The Belgian borders are closed to non-essential movements. However, the authorized flights are considered as an essential movement and therefore the quarantine rulesdo not apply to the Belgian or foreign crew of these flights. Belgian residents who work abroad (for example MUAC) are also allowed to cross the border.
Prolongation licenses
A Royal Decree and a Ministerial Decree containing measures to permit the temporary prolongation of licenses for ULM, balloon and paramotor pilots were approved on 10 July.
The BCAA is well aware that due to the new COVID-19 measures of November 2020, many training sessions, skills tests (skill tests) and proficiency checks (proficiency checks) cannot take place. The BCAA, together with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), is examining which measures can be taken for pilots whose rating (s), certificates and certificates will soon expire. These measures will be published on this website as soon as possible under the heading COVID-19.
Advice and info from international organisations
Here you will find useful links to the relevant pages or documents of international organisations and the European Union regarding the (management of the) current Covid-19 pandemic.
European Union
- Overview of measures token on mobility at European Union level, including the recently published guidelines on passenger rights in commercial air transport
- Overview of measures with an impact on mobility and transport per EU Member State, including air traffic
EASA
This page provides an overview of all EASA's coronavirus related information.
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
- Information related to actions taken by ICAO
- Communication regarding the economic impact of the current situation on the aviation sector
Eurocontrol
World Health Organisaton (WHO)
This page was updated on 30/11/2020 at 12:06.