Outbound Brussels flights scrapped ahead of March 31 strike
The operator of Belgium's largest airport said travellers should also brace for possible cancellations to inbound flights during the strike, called by the country's two main unions.
A passenger walks with luggage through a deserted departure hall, amid a strike action at Brussels Airport, as part of a day of actions against the new government declaration, in Zaventem near Brussels on February 13, 2025. (AFP)
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BRUSSELS - Brussels Airport announced on Monday it is cancelling all outbound flights scheduled on March 31, in a pre-emptive response to a nationwide strike expected to significantly disrupt air traffic control.
The operator of Belgium's largest airport said travellers should also brace for possible cancellations to inbound flights during the strike, called by the country's two main unions.
A large part of the airport's security and maintenance staff are expected to down tools in a day of protest over pension reform plans by the incoming conservative-led government, as well as the cost of living.
Next Monday's strike was also expected to strongly impact operations at the country's second airport, in the southern city of Charleroi.
Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever took office as prime minister early last month after months of coalition talks following Belgium's elections in June last year.
But trade unions have been incensed by his push for pension reforms as Belgium grapples with a budget deficit whose size violates EU rules.
Monday's planned protest comes six weeks after an earlier nationwide strike drew tens of thousands of people into the streets.
Large numbers of soldiers, teachers, railway workers, police officers and firefighters have joined the strike action because the government's move to remove special pension schemes particularly affects them.