The aviation industry in Belgium has ground to a halt after a national strike affecting sectors from across the country began on February 13, 2025.
As part of the industrial action, air traffic controllers walked out at 06:45 (local time) this morning, and joined thousands of other workers unhappy with the new federal government’s plans to reform pensions and introduce new policies.
The ACV Transcom union confirmed that air traffic controllers will strike until 22:15, with airspace closed up to 7,500 meters above sea level and all flights in and out of Belgium cancelled, according to RTBF.
On February 10, 2025, Brussels Airport (BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) announced that departing flights would be cancelled due to a shortage of baggage handlers and security staff.
However, any plans to limit the impact of those shortages were put to bed after air traffic controllers announced they would join the day of strikes.
Flights involving aircraft in distress and emergency missions will still be provided with normal air traffic control support.
“Due to #strike at Air Traffic Controller skeyes on 13/02 and closing of #BE airspace, all flights above Belgium and at Brussels Airport are cancelled from 6.45 AM to 10.15PM on 13/02. No departing flight from Brussels Airport all day. Impacted passengers will be notified by their airline,” said Brussels Airport in a social post.
Some airlines due to fly to Belgium will instead reroute to the Netherlands while others are rescheduling flights for February 14, 2025.
According to The Brussels Times, a spokesperson at BRU said that the airport had cancelled 430 flights in response to the strike.
The national strike is being led by three of Belgium’s largest unions and includes postal workers, public transport workers and refuse collectors.
“We may not always realize it, but public service workers and their work are essential to ensuring the smooth running of society. That is why we must invest in these services instead of making savings, as the Arizona coalition is proposing. The national demonstration will be an opportunity to demand better wages but also improved working conditions and dignified endings to workers’ careers,” the CSC union said.
