Belgium Strike to Disrupt Flights, Public Transport Nationwide

Thousands of travelers across Belgium are expected to face major delays and flight cancellations next week, as unions prepare for a nationwide strike on Tuesday that will bring air travel and public transport to a standstill.

According to Euronews, Belgium’s two main airports have already confirmed the cancellation of hundreds of flights in anticipation of the industrial action, organized by the Joint Trade Union Front to protest against federal government reforms affecting pensions, wages, and working conditions.

The sudden strike is expected to cause widespread disruption at Brussels Airport, the country’s largest air hub, which handles around 200 departures daily. Airport authorities have warned of “significant disturbances” on the day of the strike, noting that security staff and ground personnel will also participate in the walkout.

“To ensure the safety of passengers and employees, the airport has decided to cancel all departing flights on October 14,” Brussels Airport said in a statement. “Given the suspension of outgoing passenger flights, some arriving flights may also be affected.”

Airlines are contacting affected passengers directly to provide rebooking or refund options, the airport’s official website added.

Charleroi Airport, popular with low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, has also announced a full suspension of both departures and arrivals on October 14 due to the strike. The airport confirmed that airlines would reach out to travelers in the coming days to arrange alternative travel options or refunds.

In addition to flight disruptions, public transport networks, including trains, buses, and trams, will operate at significantly reduced capacity. Public services such as schools are also expected to be impacted, raising concerns of widespread paralysis across the country.

The strike underscores mounting tension between Belgian trade unions and the federal government over austerity-driven policy changes. Unions say the reforms erode social protections, while the government insists they are necessary to sustain public finances.

Travelers are being urged to check with their airlines and transport operators for real-time updates before heading to airports or stations on the day of the strike.