Airport Chaos Looms as National Strike Paralyzes Belgian Air Travel

At Charleroi airport, no passenger flights will take off on October 14 due to the national day of action planned for that date. "Due to the national day of action planned on Tuesday, October 14 in the joint trade union front and the lack of staff present to ensure operations in complete safety, all scheduled flights to and from Charleroi airport that day will be cancelled," said the spokeswoman for the establishment, Nathalie Pierard. On Friday, the airport assured that the passengers concerned will be contacted in the coming days for a new booking or a refund.

The national day of action is also not without consequences for passenger flights at Brussels Airport. On Tuesday, Brussels Airport had already made an announcement in this regard. "Due to the national trade union action on Tuesday, October 14 and the announced strike of a large number of G4S employees, the security provider, Brussels Airport unfortunately expects a major impact on airport operations that day," Brussels Airport had said.

"This is the sixth national action this year with a significant impact on the airport and its airlines, while these actions target the policy and measures of the federal government. National demonstrations have already affected 250,000 passengers this year and cost the Belgian economy 150 million euros," Brussels Airport figures.