Belgian Court Sets Aside Seizure of Polish Air Traffic Funds Tied to Pfizer Suit

A Belgian court has set aside an order that had seized fees equal to more than 80% of the income of the agency running Poland's air traffic control, in a dispute tied to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine claim against Poland. MarketScreener reported the ruling on November 12.

How The Brussels Ruling Unfolded

Pfizer is a global biopharmaceutical company that develops prescription medicines and vaccines across oncology, inflammation and immunology, vaccines, and internal medicine. The seizure stemmed from a Belgian court ruling in Pfizer's ongoing dispute with Poland over EUR1.3 billion ($1.4 billion) in payments.

The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency objected to the seizure. In a statement on Thursday, PANSA said a court of first instance in Brussels found its objection "well-founded" and set aside a court order dated June 25. The agency said the decision was favourable to it but that the judgment is not final.

Pfizer pointed to a court ruling in April that it said confirmed "the importance of the contractual obligations that underpinned Europe's successful pandemic response." The company 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," Pfizer said, referring to the April ruling.

Poland's Health Ministry said the court confirmed that funds from "en-route charges" belonged to PANSA and not to the Polish treasury. "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 ministry said.

Pfizer's Scale Behind The Claim

According to akta.pro company records, Pfizer reported $62.6 billion in FY2025 revenue, a slight 1.6% decline year over year, and had 96 pipeline projects as of May 5, 2026: 35 in Phase 1, 25 in Phase 2, 31 in Phase 3 and 5 in registration. The company employs about 75,000 people globally and was founded in 1849, with headquarters in New York.

Earlier Pfizer Moves This Month

On November 11, 2026, Pfizer said Blackstone will provide up to $1.5 billion through 2028 to fund its experimental monthly obesity treatment, MarketScreener reported. The same day, Stock Titan reported that Pfizer and Blackstone announced a strategic co-funding agreement under which Blackstone will pay up to $1.5 billion of development costs for berobenatide through 2028. On November 10, 2026, Stock Titan reported that Pfizer will webcast a discussion with CEO Albert Bourla at the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference on November 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. GMT.

What Comes Next In The Dispute

PANSA said the Brussels judgment is not final. Pfizer said it is pursuing established legal and contractual mechanisms to ensure compliance with the April ruling.