Our structure
The Belgian Air Transport Association, BATA, groups the largest and leading passenger and cargo airlines based in Belgium. Together, we join forces in public policy and or social issues in which we have common interests.
All airlines delegate a member of the Board of Directors. This board is responsible for the overall strategy of the association. Their policy is being transformed into practice by two committees; the Council of Social Affairs (COSA) and the Council of Aeropolitical Affairs (CAPA). All the member airlines can delegate a member for both committees.
By joining forces, BATA and its members want to stimulate a coherent and efficient aviation policy for Belgium by making the needs of the airline industry more clear. These interests are directly and indirectly important for Belgium, its economy and its citizens.
Board of Directors
Council on Aeropolitical Affairs
Council on Social Affairs
Our team
Philippe Saeys-Desmedt is Senior Director, Head of Public Affairs at Brussels Airlines. Philippe represents Brussels Airlines on the BATA Board of Directors, contributing his extensive expertise in aviation and international sales. Before his current role, Philippe held various senior positions within the Lufthansa Group, including Vice President Sales Africa and Global Cargo. With a career spanning over three decades in the airline industry, he has developed a strong background in commercial strategy, customer relations and market development. Philippe holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Aix-Marseille.
Philippe Saeys-Desmedt
BOD President
Vincent Snauwaert is Public Affairs Manager at TUI fly Belgium since May 2018 and has been appointed Secretary General of BATA in July 2020. He is a primary point of contact for external partners. He represents TUI in BAR Belgium, BATA's sister association grouping foreign airlines in Belgium. Vincent has a Masters degree in Political Sciences at the Ghent University and a Bachelors degree in Tourism Management at VIVES University College. Before joining TUI, Vincent worked previously at the Belgian embassy in Chile as a public diplomacy trainee, the European Parliament as a press officer and the Airport Regions Council as Public Affairs Officer.
Vincent Snauwaert
Secretary General
Dirk Knegtel is Member of the Management Committee at TUI fly Belgium and is the Director of Social and Industrial Relations and Public Affairs of the airline. Dirk has been member of the BATA Board of Directors since 2012. As chairman of the BATA Council of Social Affairs, Dirk is representing the airline industry in the Joint Labour Committee PC 315(.00/.01/.02). Dirk has a Masters degree in Law at the University of Antwerp. Dirk Knegtel is also the Secretary General of BAR Belgium, a sister association of BATA that mainly represents foreign airlines that are active in Belgium.
Dirk Knegtel
BOD Member, Chairman COSA
Nadia Gerard is Manager Aeropolitical, Facilitation & Interline for Brussels Airlines. In her position she has been following BATA topics for a long time and since 2023 chairs the BATA Council on Aeropolitical Affairs. She has a Master Degree in translation at ISTI (now ULB).
Nadia Gerard
Chairwoman CAPA
As Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director for Air Belgium, Anne-Catherine represents Air Belgium, an official member of BATA since 2022. She successively worked for TNT Airways and then ASL Airlines Belgium before joining the Air Belgium management in 2018. With a degree in public relations, she has been working in aviation since the start of her career, not only following up on Aeropolitical Affairs issues but also managing slot portfolios and traffic rights. Questions on these matters and on Public Affairs in relation to Air Belgium can be addressed to her.
Anne-Catherine Paul
Member of the board
Marc Bolline is ASL Airlines Belgium's Managing Director. Marc represents the airline in the BATA Board of Directors since 2021. Before becoming MD at ASL Airlines Belgium, Marc was the Finance Director at TNT Airways.
Marc Bolline
Member of the board
Lorenzo Van de Pol
Member of the board
Lorenzo is Director Public Affairs at DHL Aviation. He started his career in politics at the office of the Flemish minister of energy, where he worked as a political policy advisor. After an extended stay in Mexico City for personal reasons, he started at Voka (the largest trade association in Belgium, representing 18.000 businesses) as energy & climate advisor. Joining DHL Express at Brussels Airport in January 2023, he is now responsible for the Belgian public affairs of the company, with a special focus on airline operations. Lorenzo has a Master in Political Science.