On April 29, 2025, Brussels Airport cancelled all departing flights due to a nationwide strike, leaving travellers stranded and disrupting plans for thousands.
The strike, led by trade unions ACV/CSC and ABVV/FGTB, protested a range of Belgian federal government concerns. These included austerity measures, including budget cuts and reforms to pensions, wages, and working conditions.
Impact on Flight Operations at Brussels Airport
This week’s nationwide industrial action halted approximately 470 flights, affecting 66,000 passengers. As well as the issues for flight departures, arriving flights also faced significant disruptions.
Airlines like Brussels Airlines, Corendon, Turkish Airlines, and Transavia ferried aircraft out to minimize operational chaos. Charleroi Airport, a key regional hub, also cancelled all flights, citing insufficient staff for safe operations.
Widespread Transport Impacts
The national strike’s impact was widespread. Public transport services, including buses and trains, were severely limited, complicating access to the airport.
Brussels Airport urged passengers not to come to the terminal and to check flight statuses with airlines for rebooking or refunds.
For those traveling on April 30, the airport advised arriving early—two hours for Schengen flights and three for non-Schengen—due to expected congestion from the backlog.
Airlines offered flexible rebooking options, but the scale of cancellations left many scrambling for alternatives, such as rerouting through nearby airports like Amsterdam or Paris.
Previous Strike Actions
This disruption follows a pattern of labour actions in 2025. On February 13, a strike by airport staff and air traffic controllers grounded 430 flights, impacting 60,000 passengers.
A March 31 general strike by security staff and ground crews cancelled 244 departures, protesting pension and labour reforms. These recurring strikes reflect the growing tensions over government policies.
An earlier disruption on October 1, 2024, also saw widespread cancellations, signalling ongoing labour unrest in Belgium’s aviation sector. Passengers caught in the April 29 chaos were advised to monitor Brussels Airport’s website and airline communications for updates.
The airport recommended online check-ins to streamline processes on April 30, a day expected to be hectic as operations resumed. Airport authorities suggested high-speed rail to nearby hubs like Amsterdam (two hours) or Paris for those seeking alternative transport.
The strike underscores the continuing challenges facing Belgium’s aviation industry amid labour disputes. As unions and the government continue negotiations, the risk of further strikes looms, making flexibility key for those flying through Brussels.
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