Brussels Airport will cancel all departing flights on Wednesday, November 26, due to a nationwide industrial strike. Security and ground-handling staff are protesting government austerity measures, causing major disruptions to air travel across Belgium.
The airport confirmed it will also cancel 110 of its 203 scheduled incoming flights. Only 93 arriving flights are expected to operate. Airlines including British Airways and easyJet face cancellations, affecting around 30 flights to UK airports. Brussels South Charleroi Airport will see no flights arriving or departing on Wednesday.
Brussels Airport stated: «Due to the national industrial action on Wednesday, 26 November 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.»
Strike Against Austerity
The industrial action targets the Belgian government's budget agreement reached early Monday. Prime Minister Bart De Wever's centre-right coalition secured a deal to cut the budget deficit by 9.2 billion euros by 2029. The plan includes tax hikes on share purchases, airplane tickets, natural gas, and banks, alongside government spending cuts.
Belgium's current budget deficit stands at 4.5 percent of gross domestic product, with debt at 104.7 percent. Both figures exceed maximums agreed under EU budget rules.
Marie Helene Ska, general secretary of the Belgian trade union confederation ACV-CSC, defended the strike: «This escalating strike strategy is necessary. The alternative – allowing the austerity measures to proceed unchallenged – would mean accepting a fundamental restructuring of Belgium's social model, transforming it from one of Europe's more protective welfare states into something far more precarious for working people.»
Wider Transport Chaos
The three-day strike affects public transport across Belgium. The City of Brussels warned of disrupted services. De Lijn, operating in Flanders, advised of fewer bus and tram services. Train services face cancellations and delays, with more disruptions expected through Wednesday.
Eurostar warned of potential disruption to international services, affecting British travellers from London St Pancras. Rail workers plan further strikes for the New Year, protesting a higher retirement age.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
