Despite its name – Brussels Airport – the airport is not located in the Brussels region, but in Flanders. The Flemish government believes that drivers should be able to speak Dutch with their customers at at least a B1 level. This means that anyone can speak “simple Dutch”.
If the government's plans go ahead, taxi drivers will have to take a Dutch language test from July 1, 2024. Belgian unions fear three-quarters of taxi drivers could lose their licence. According to the unions, most drivers do not speak enough Dutch.
Most drivers come from French-speaking Brussels. Although the city is officially bilingual, a large portion of it barely speaks Dutch.
Taxi drivers say they find this measure “disproportionate” and that they can now communicate well with their customers.
