No flights will depart from Brussels Airport on Wednesday 26 November, due to the three-day national strike organised by Belgium's trade unions. Some arriving flights will be cancelled as well.
The unions want to speak out against the Federal Government's numerous austerity measures, such as the pension penalty and plans to make the labour market more flexible. Following several national strikes over the past year, a three-day strike is now being organised.
"Due to the national strike, in which the staff of the security and handling service provider is participating, we unfortunately expect major disruptions to our airport operations on that day," Brussels Airport said in a statement on its website.
As departing passenger flights are cancelled, cancellations are also possible on some arriving flights.
The airport "regrets any inconvenience caused" by the strike. In the upcoming days, the airlines will contact passengers directly to inform them of their options.
The flight overview on the Brussels Airport website will show cancellations only once they are registered by the airline. This is the seventh time this year that national trade union action has disrupted air traffic at the airport, the airport pointed out.
Charleroi also cancels flights
The airport in Charleroi – officially named Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) – announced on Friday that it expects "major disruptions" on Wednesday due to the union action and the lack of staff available to ensure safe operations.
"The airport will not be able to operate scheduled departures and arrivals," the statement reads. "Passengers scheduled to fly via Charleroi on 26 November will be contacted in the coming days by their airline for a rebooking or refund."
From Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 November, during the three days of strikes, travel to the airport may be difficult; roadblocks and significant disruptions to public transport are to be expected. The airport is warning travellers to take precautions to avoid delays.
"We regret the impact of this national strike on our passengers' travel plans and apologise for any inconvenience caused," they added.
The national strike on Wednesday will be the last day of a three-day strike. On Monday 24 November, the railways will strike, followed a day later by a strike of all public services in Belgium on Tuesday 25 November. Airport operations will not be disrupted during the first two days of the strike.
The three-day mobilisation comes in the middle of the Federal Government's difficult budget negotiations; Belgium faces a €26 billion deficit, projected to reach €39 billion within four years under current policies.
This article was updated on Friday 21 November, following the announcement that no flights would be operated from Charleroi Airport on the day of the national strike.
Related News
- Limited De Lijn bus and tram services during three-day strike
- Brussels transport to be severely disrupted by three-day strike
- French-speaking schools disrupted as teachers go on strike
- Rail unions plan 72-hour strike as part of nationwide protest in late November
- Three-day national strike to cost €100 million a day, warns Walloon business chief
