The three-day national strike initiated by Belgian trade unions has also hit Brussels Airport, the main airport in the capital. The airport administration announced that all departing flights on Wednesday, 26 November, have been cancelled, and that similar cancellations may occur for some arriving flights as well.
The unions have launched a three-day strike programme to raise their voices against the government’s retirement penalties, labour market flexibilisation plans, and other austerity policies. Following numerous strikes last year, a broader schedule of action has been implemented this time.
In a statement published on its website, Brussels Airport warned passengers, saying: “We expect serious disruptions to our operations as security and ground handling providers are participating in the strike.”
Airport: “We apologise for the inconvenience”
The airport administration stated that, in order to prevent passenger inconvenience, airlines will directly contact passengers in the coming days to share alternatives. In the flight summary on the website, cancellations will only be visible once they are entered into the system by the airlines.
Brussels Airport also reminded that this is the seventh time this year that air traffic has been disrupted due to national trade union actions.
Uncertainty Continues at Charleroi Airport
It is still unclear how the strike will affect flights at Charleroi Airport. A spokesperson for the airport told The Brussels Times: “It is still early; we will have more information during the week.”
These disruptions on Wednesday, the final day of the three-day national strike, coincide with intense budget talks within the Belgian Federal Government. If current policies continue, the country may face a budget deficit rising from 26 billion euros to 39 billion euros within four years.
