Brussels Paralyzed: National Strike Grounds All Flights, Disrupts Travel Plans

The trade union front is observing a strike day this Tuesday to protest against the government’s economic and social policy, particularly in terms of pensions, wages and working conditions. This day of mobilization is disrupting all forms of transportation, including air travel. The two main airports in Brussels, Brussels Airport and Brussels Charleroi, have confirmed the cancellation of several hundred flights. Security personnel at Brussels Airport are participating in the mobilization.

The airport is therefore warning of "major disruptions". To "ensure the safety of passengers and staff", Brussels Airport has decided to cancel all outbound flights. As a result, the 200 aircraft on average that take off there each day will not be able to operate any flights.

In a message on its website, the airport indicates that the airlines will contact the passengers affected by the strikes to inform them directly of the options available to them. "As passenger flights departing are cancelled, cancellations are also possible on some arriving flights," adds Brussels Airport. The airport continues: "The overview of flights on our website will only display the cancellations once they have been registered by the airline."

Like Brussels Airport, Brussels-Charleroi Airport has cancelled all departures and arrivals on October 14th. As a result, low-cost airlines such as Ryanair that use this airport and operate flights between Belgium and Morocco are also affected by this national day of action.