Flights and train services in Belgium are set to be disrupted by two separate strikes over the next week.
Staff working for airport ground handler Alyzia are due to walk out on Friday (9 October), as part of a one-day national strike, leading to the expected cancellation of around 140 flights from Brussels Airport.
“Based on the current information approximately half of the flights handled by Alyzia are expected to operate as planned,” said Brussels Airport in a statement. “Unfortunately, a number of flights will have to be cancelled.
“If your flight is handled by Aviapartner, no impact is currently expected. Airlines working with Alyzia will contact passengers directly to inform them about the status of their flight and their options.”
Brussels Airlines added in its own statement: “Due to the national manifestation in Belgium on Friday, 9 October, and the expected impact on the workforce of our handling partner [Alyzia], we are unfortunately required to cancel part of our flight schedule.”
Media outlets in Belgium reported that Brussels Airlines was cancelling around 40 per cent of its scheduled flights on Friday.
A separate one-day strike in Belgium by public service unions, including rail workers, on Monday (12 October) is expected to disrupt train services across the country. Although Brussels Airport said this stoppage was likely to have “no impact” on air traffic during Monday.
Belgian rail operator SNCB warned that its schedule would be impacted from 10pm on Sunday (11 October) until the end of service on Monday (12 October).
“In order to deal with the limited number of trains running, we will put in place an alternative service in accordance with staff availability,” said SNCB in an update to customers.