Brussels Airlines to Cancell Nearly 700 Flights This Summer

The Belgian subsidiary of Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, is cancelling around 700 flights during the summer holiday period to reduce workload and avoid strikes.

"We are meeting the demands of the unions today and we hope it can rule out further actions (this summer)," Brussels Airlines spokesperson Maaike Andries emailed on Monday. "For long-term solutions, we will organize a meeting with the unions on August 23."

The airline noted that the cancellations would cause a $10.66 million loss in revenue.

Last month, pilot and cabin crew unions of Brussels Airlines held a three-day strike due to the high pressure of work as the company had been aware of the situation for around a year but failed to alleviate it.

Across Europe strikes and staff shortages are forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights, causing hours-long queues at major airports, dashing hopes of a first summer holiday for many after COVID lockdowns. 

In June, the airline cut down on 148 flights in June and promised to hire 225 additional cabin crew. However, unions said the concessions that management promised have not materialised.

“We expect a very clear signal from the management about how they are going to reduce the unbearable workload for staff,” said Tim Roelants of the liberal trade union ACLVB in Het Nieuwsblad.