Act now if you are flying to or from Belgium on Friday 9th October. Strikes will disrupt flights at Brussels Airport that day, with further public sector action on Monday 12th October. Check your flight status directly with your airline before travelling.
What is happening
Friday 9th October. The FGTB/ABVV and CSC/ACV unions are holding a national demonstration in Brussels against the federal government’s austerity plans. Part of the workforce at Alyzia, one of the two ground handlers at Brussels Airport, will join the action. The airport expects about 140 flights to be cancelled, which is roughly half of the flights Alyzia handles. Brussels Airlines, which uses Alyzia, has said it will cancel around 40% of its flights that day.
Monday 12th October. The CGSP/ACOD public services union has called a strike across public services. Its rail section has said it will file a notice covering SNCB/NMBS and Infrabel, so trains, trams and buses may be disrupted. Hours and train timetables had not been confirmed at the time of writing. Brussels Airport has said flights are not expected to be affected on this day, but getting to the airport may be harder.
Charleroi update. The overnight air traffic control strikes at Brussels South Charleroi Airport, which were due to run until 10th October, were suspended on 23rd September so that unions and Skeyes could enter mediation over night shift allowances. Operations returned to normal the following day. As the dispute has not yet been settled, it is still worth checking before you travel.
Which flights are affected
At Brussels Airport, whether a flight is at risk on 9th October depends on which ground handler your airline uses, not where you are flying to. Alyzia works with around 20 airlines, including Brussels Airlines. Flights handled by Aviapartner are not currently expected to be affected, and reports indicate that this includes Ryanair and TUI. Airlines will contact passengers whose flights are cancelled to offer an alternative flight or a refund. At the time of writing, Brussels South Charleroi Airport has not announced cancellations for either date.
Getting to the airport may also be tricky on Friday. Brussels transit operator STIB expects major disruption to buses, trams and the metro because of the strike and the march route through the city.
What to do right now
- Check your flight status directly with your airline before travelling to the airport, especially if you are flying with Brussels Airlines on Friday 9th October.
- Allow extra time to reach the airport on 9th and 12th October. Check the STIB app and your rail operator before you set out, and consider an airport bus or taxi if train services are reduced.
- If your flight is cancelled, your airline must offer you a refund or an alternative flight. Keep receipts for any meals or hotel nights the airline does not arrange.
- Keep an eye on updates from the airports and your airline. Unions have warned that a wider national strike could follow in the week of 23rd November.
Changing your Holiday Extras booking
If your travel plans have changed, you can amend or cancel your Holiday Extras booking online.
- Customers with a Flextras cancellation can cancel any time up to midnight before the booked day of travel, for a flexible voucher to rebook once new travel details are confirmed.
- Flextras: Saver customers can cancel for a voucher to use against the same product once new plans are confirmed.
- Use our online amends system to change dates, times, terminals or cancel your booking if required.
Customers already at the airport or travelling tonight
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