Flights and train services in Belgium are facing major disruption this week as several unions stage strikes across the country.
Unions are taking industrial action in protest at the Belgian government’s proposed austerity reforms, which include raising the statutory pension age.
The country’s airports will face major disruption on Wednesday (26 November) with security staff and ground handlers due to walk out as part of the “national day” of action. Air travel in Belgium was also badly disrupted by a similar strike in October.
Brussels Airport said passengers should “expect major disruptions to our airport operations on that day”. The airport has decided to cancel all departures on Wednesday with cancellations of arriving flights “also possible”.
Charleroi Airport said the strike meant it would not be able to operate scheduled departures and arrivals on Wednesday.
“Passengers scheduled to fly via Charleroi on November 26 will be contacted in the coming days by their airline for a rebooking or refund,” added the airport in a statement.
Brussels Airlines said it was “evaluating the impact” of the strikes on its flight schedule and would inform passengers of cancellations via email.
Train services in Belgium are already being affected by a 72-hour strike by rail workers, which started on Sunday (23 November) evening and will continue until the end of Wednesday.
Rail operator SNCB is only planning to run around 20 per cent of its normal schedule due to the strike, while metro, tram and bus services in Brussels are also expected to suffer major disruption, including public transport services to airports.
Eurostar is continuing to operate most of its trains between London and Brussels, although there were some delays on Monday. There have been some cancellations on Eurostar’s routes between Brussels and Amsterdam, as well as on services from the Belgian capital to France and Germany.