Air traffic control protest to disrupt flights on Monday

Delays and cancellations are likely for some Belgian flights on Monday due to ongoing industrial action by air traffic controllers.

A trade union representing workers at air traffic control operator Skeyes - formerly known as Belgocontrol - has announced a work-to-rule in protest at short-staffing.

"There is a lack of staff everywhere," said Kurt Callaerts from the CSC Transcom union. "Normally everyone has the right to take two days off a week and 11 hours off between two shifts. But controllers sometimes work up to 12 days in a row. It's unacceptable and it's not good for safety."

He added: "We will decrease air traffic, we will delay flights but we will not carry out a total strike."

Anyone flying on Monday should check with their airline before travelling. Skeyes chief executive Johan Decuyper condemned the industrial action, which he said would have a "heavy impact on Belgian airspace".