Manny Ita –
Brussels Airport has warned passengers that a large number of flights are expected to be cancelled next month due to nationwide strike action in Belgium.
In a notice posted on its website, the airport said the planned national strike on 12 May will significantly reduce available staff at key service providers, leading to major disruptions in airport operations.
It stated that “a large number of departing flights will have to be cancelled,” and warned that some arriving flights may also be affected. Passengers impacted by cancellations will be contacted and offered alternative options.
Reports indicate that up to half of all scheduled flights on that day could be cancelled.
The airport said it is working with all relevant partners to maintain as many operations as possible despite the industrial action. However, it cautioned that disruptions are likely unavoidable.
Transport services to and from the airport, including national railway operator SNCB and public transport providers De Lijn (buses and trams), are also expected to face interruptions.
The strike action has been announced by Belgium’s three major trade unions—ACV, ABVV, and ACLVB—amid ongoing disputes over pension rules for pilots and aviation workers.
At the centre of the dispute is legislation requiring pilots to continue working until the age of 66, with government discussions suggesting a possible extension to 67. Union representatives argue that the policy is unfair and inconsistent, particularly given existing aviation safety rules.
Under European Union Aviation Safety Agency regulations, commercial pilots may fly solo until age 60, with the possibility of continuing for up to five additional years when operating as part of a crew.
Union leaders say the current framework is contradictory and “clearly flawed,” arguing that pilots are being forced into an inconsistent retirement system that does not reflect operational realities.
The proposed pension changes have intensified tensions between unions and the government. While officials argue that retirement age adjustments are part of broader reforms, unions insist that the issue has reached a critical point.
If the strike proceeds as planned, it will become one of several industrial actions affecting Brussels Airport this year, following multiple disruptions since the beginning of 2025.
