Published on •Updated
Brussels Airport is bracing for severe disruption this week as some of Belgium’s largest trade unions plan industrial action.
A strike notice has been issued for Thursday 12 March, lasting 24 hours.
The walkout will see widespread flight cancellations and delays. Here’s what travellers need to know.
Brussels Airport cancels all departures on 12 March
Key Belgian trade unions, including FGTB/ABVV, CSC/ACV, and CGSLB/ACLVB, are staging a nationwide strike on 12 March, protesting against unpaid labour and pension reforms. The walkouts will affect various sectors, including public transport and airport operations.
Security screeners, baggage handlers and air traffic controllers at Brussels Airport are expected to join the walkout.
As such, the transport hub has announced that all commercial outbound traffic will be cancelled that day.
“To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, we have decided, in consultation with the airlines, not to operate any departing flights on 12 March,” the airport wrote in a notice on its website.
“In the upcoming days, the airlines will contact passengers directly to inform them of their options.”
It also warns that cancellations of some arriving flights are possible.
“The flight overview on our website will show cancellations only once they are registered by the airline,” the notice reads.
For arriving flights that go ahead, but travellers are urged to be prepared for changes to schedules caused by ripple-effect delays and diversions.
Between 165 and 250 flights depart per day at what is Belgium’s busiest airport, so the strikes are likely to cause significant disruption.
Charleroi airport will halt operations on 12 March
Brussels South Charleroi Airport has grounded all flights scheduled for 12 March.
“Due to the national manifestation planned for Thursday 12 March and the lack of staff available to ensure safe operations, Charleroi Airport will not be able to operate scheduled departures and arrivals,” the transport hub states on its website.
Passengers with flights booked for that day will be contacted in the coming days – no later than 10 March – by their airline for a rebooking or refund, it adds.
Similar industrial action in 2025 had a major impact on air traffic, with extensive flight cancellations at both Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
What should I do if I have a flight booked on 12 March?
Passengers with departing flights from Brussels Airport on 12 March are advised to rebook for a different date or contact their travel operator.
Air Canada has already announced it is offering a flexible rebooking policy for travel from Brussels Airport on 12 March.
Travellers can alter their flights without extra cost within a range of dates around the strikes or choose to cancel their booking and receive credits or future travel funds.
Brussels Airlines is allowing passengers to change the date of their flight for free within seven days.
Emirates and United Airlines are offering customers the choice of rerouting via Amsterdam or Paris.