25 June strike: no passenger flights taking off from Brussels and Charleroi airports

No passenger flights will depart from Brussels Airport on Wednesday 25 June due to a strike, with disruptions to arriving flights also expected.

The disruption is part of a broader nationwide pan-industry day of strike action that is also likely to affect public transport, schools and other public services.

“In order to ensure the safety of passengers and staff and to avoid long queues, in consultation with the airlines, there will be no passenger flights departing from Brussels Airport on Wednesday 25 June,” the airport’s management said.

“The airlines will inform passengers directly of the cancellation of their flights.”

The decision to cancel flights was taken after a large proportion of staff, including security contractors, announced that they would take part in the strike.

All flights departing from and arriving at Charleroi Airport scheduled for 25 June have also been cancelled.

Affected passengers will be contacted by their airline for a new booking or a refund.

Staff are protesting against measures taken by the federal government, particularly with regard to pensions and unemployment benefits.

Strikes have already forced Belgian airports to cancel all departing and some arriving flights on several occasions due to staff shortages and safety measures, but now for the first time, the liberal union is joining forces with the Christian and socialist unions for the 25 June action.