Belgian court sets aside Pfizer-linked seizure of Polish air traffic funds

Belgian Court Reverses Pfizer-Linked Seizure of Polish Air Traffic Funds

Overview of the Belgian Court Decision and Its Implications

Background of the Dispute

WARSAW, Nov 12 (Reuters) - A Belgian court has set aside an order that deprived the agency that runs Poland's air traffic control of fees equivalent to over 80% of its income after Pfizer sued Poland for payment for COVID-19 vaccines.

Details of the Seizure

• The seizure was made in connection with a Belgian court ruling in an ongoing dispute brought by Pfizer against Poland over €1.3 billion ($1.4 billion) in payments

• The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency objected to the seizure

Court Ruling and PANSA's Response

• The PANSA in a statement on Thursday said it had received a ruling from a court of first instance in Brussels that found its objection was "well-founded" and set aside a court order dated June 25

• The decision is favourable to the PANSA, but the judgment is not final, it added

Statements from Involved Parties

Pfizer's Position

• In comments on Thursday, Pfizer referred to a court ruling in April that it said confirmed "the importance of the contractual obligations that underpinned Europe’s successful pandemic response"

• It said Thursday's decision relates only to one avenue of enforcement of that judgment

• "We are taking appropriate steps through established legal and contractual mechanisms to ensure compliance with the court’s decision," it said, referring to the April ruling.

Polish Health Ministry's Statement

• Poland's Health Ministry also issued a statement, saying the court confirmed the funds from "en-route charges" belonged to PANSA and not to the Polish treasury.

Clarification on Liability

• "It is not liable for the obligations of the state treasury; therefore, its funds cannot be used to satisfy Pfizer's claims against Poland," the statement said.

Additional Information

($1 = 0.9027 euros)

(Reporting by Anna Koper; Editing by Barbara Lewis)