Poland's Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PAŻP) said last week it had been notified by Eurocontrol, the European air traffic safety body, that its route-fee receivables had been seized, a move tied to the court ruling in the Pfizer vs. Poland case. The agency stressed the seizure was unrelated to its own operations and stemmed from Eurocontrol's role as executor of the enforcement proceedings.
"The Belgian court's ruling confirms the importance of contractual obligations that underpinned an effective European response to the pandemic, based on the principle of solidarity among member states. Pfizer is taking appropriate steps to ensure enforcement of the ruling through legally available mechanisms", Pfizer said in a statement sent to Polish state news agency (PAP).
Pfizer said that after prolonged breaches of contract terms, it made the difficult decision in 2023 to launch formal legal proceedings in Belgium against Poland and Romania, seeking to enforce COVID-19 vaccine order commitments the two governments made under a May 2021 EU supply agreement. Under that deal, Pfizer said it took on commitments covering guaranteed delivery volumes, European production, and other terms.
The company argued that "all parties should honor the obligations under the agreement that enabled an effective European pandemic response", as it said the vast majority of European states and Pfizer itself have done.
It said it had shown "exceptional flexibility and consistent engagement" in accommodating member states' circumstances, including adjusting delivery schedules, building a European production network with a supply chain based on European-sourced raw materials for European needs, and establishing a central warehouse for participating member states.
Seized funds account for over 80% of Polish agency's revenue
PAŻP said route fees collected by Eurocontrol make up more than 80% of its revenue and are its primary funding source. The agency said it is preparing a formal objection to the seizure in cooperation with Poland's General Counsel's Office and relevant state authorities, while working in parallel to secure alternative financing to ensure uninterrupted air traffic safety operations. It said there was no risk to its operations or to staff jobs.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday that the government would not leave PAŻP without financial support, adding that efforts were underway to resolve the dispute stemming from the Pfizer contract.
Case stems from 2021 EU-wide vaccine contract
The dispute centers on a contract the European Commission signed with Pfizer on behalf of EU member states for COVID-19 vaccine deliveries. Poland refused to accept part of its ordered doses in 2022, citing the changing epidemic situation and the impact of the war in Ukraine, among other factors. Pfizer took the matter to a Brussels court in September 2023.
On April 1, 2026, a Belgian court of first instance ruled that Poland must accept about 64 million vaccine doses and pay Pfizer PLN 5.644 billion (EUR 1.3 billion), plus roughly PLN 170 million (EUR 39 million) in legal costs. Poland's health ministry said it would pursue all available legal remedies to overturn the non-final ruling, which can be appealed within 60 days of Poland's receipt of the judgment and payment order.
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Source: PAP