**Travel chaos as industrial action prompts mass flight cancellations at Belgian airports**
Travellers across Europe are facing significant disruption today, after widespread industrial action among airport workers in Belgium forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Both Brussels Airport – the busiest in the country – and Brussels South Charleroi Airport have been heavily affected, leaving holidaymakers and business travellers stranded or scrambling to rearrange their plans.
Live data from flight tracking service FlightAware, analysed by AirAdvisor, revealed that as of 8am UK time on Tuesday 29 April, at least 105 flights to or from Brussels Airport had already been cancelled. As Belgium’s central international hub, the impact rippled far beyond domestic routes, affecting connections to major UK destinations including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.
The situation at Brussels South Charleroi Airport proved even more severe. The airport, which regularly links travellers to and from the UK, announced the cancellation of all departing flights for the entire day. In a statement published on its website, Charleroi officials cited insufficient staffing to maintain “complete safety” as the justification for the drastic move. Altogether, 113 flights scheduled for arrival or departure at Charleroi on Tuesday have been scrapped.
Brussels Airlines – Belgium’s national carrier and largest airline – confirmed it had cancelled 59 flights alone, further highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the strike action. Passengers have reported confusion, lengthy queues, and an anxious wait for information as airlines and airport authorities struggle to cope with the scale of the disruption.
Commentators from AirAdvisor warned that this disruption is not without precedent. “On 10 February, Brussels Airport was forced to ground all departures scheduled on the day due to strikes. Another round of industrial action took place on 31 March, cancelling hundreds of flights set to depart the country,” explained CEO Anton Radchenko. He added, “Early indications suggest that this latest round of industrial action is having a similar effect on Belgium’s travel infrastructure and it doesn’t look like the issue is going to be resolved any time soon.”
The origins of the industrial dispute lie with ongoing conflicts between Belgium’s principal workers’ unions – the General Labour Federation of Belgium (FGTB) and the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC) – and the government. The unions, representing both handling and security staff at the afflicted airports, are voicing strong opposition to government proposals they believe will force employees to work longer hours, accept worsening pension arrangements and endure stagnating wages.
For those affected by Tuesday’s cancellations, experts recommend immediate contact with the relevant airline. “Firstly, reach out to your airline and seek a replacement flight to your intended destination, which they are obliged to provide,” advised Mr Radchenko. Alternative arrangements may include rebooking with a different airline, or departing from an entirely different airport in the region. For passengers who decide not to continue with their journey, a full refund for their ticket should be available under EU law.
Looking ahead, travel observers fear ongoing complications throughout the week. There are concerns that today’s cancellations will create a knock-on effect, placing further strain on flight schedules for Wednesday, Thursday and possibly beyond. “It’s very likely that today’s events will have a domino-effect on flights tomorrow and potentially the day after too, as both airports may not be able to double daily capacity to accommodate postponed flights from today,” Mr Radchenko warned.
For those booked to fly later in the week, the advice is to closely monitor the evolving situation and consider rebooking for a later date if possible. While airport operators and airlines are working to resume normal service, the resolution of the dispute remains uncertain.
This latest round of industrial action raises broader questions about working conditions within the aviation sector and how labour disputes can have swift, disruptive impacts on international travel. As negotiations continue in Belgium, many are watching closely to see if similar frustrations will manifest in other European airports amid rising cost-of-living pressures.
Passengers caught up in the turmoil are advised to keep their contact details up to date with their airlines and check airport websites or app notifications for the latest updates, as the situation remains fluid. The travel industry, meanwhile, faces another stark reminder of the vulnerability of cross-border journeys to local disputes.