More than 30,000 passengers hit by a strike in Belgium’s largest airport

Brussels airport, the largest in Belgium, canceled all departing flights this Monday due to a strike by security guards demanding wage improvements in a context of high inflation.

The airport administration reported that a total of 232 flights were canceled, in a measure that affects approximately 30,000 passengers. Incoming commercial flights are also affected, with just one in four scheduled flights arriving.

“Due to the strike and the lack of security agents, no flights will leave Brussels airport on June 20. This case of force majeure makes it impossible to guarantee the safety of passengers and staff. This decision is necessary to avoid chaotic situations“was the tweet that was sent from the airport account.

Passengers could face waiting times of more than eight hours at the airport, so it decided to cut its outbound flight operations on Monday.

“A total of 232 flights departing from Brussels airport have been canceled, while one in four flights scheduled to arrive is arriving,” confirmed a Brussels airport spokesperson.

Freight traffic, on the other hand, was not affected.

The airport is it was practically empty this Monday, and only short lines of passengers had formed trying to change their tickets, while others rested resigned on the floor or in the few seats available.

Maria Antonia, a 20-year-old Romanian student who intended to board for Bucharest, said she did not see the urgent notice sent to passengers on Sunday evening.

“I didn’t know about the canceled flights until I got to the airport,” he said.

Passengers were asked to contact the airlines responsible for their flights.

Part of the passenger traffic of the German tour operator TUI that was supposed to leave Brussels airport was redirected to other Belgian regional terminals including Ostend, Antwerp and Liège.

The three main Belgian trade union centers, FGTB (socialist), CSC (Christian) and CGSLB (liberal), have decided to organize this Monday a national day of action for defend wages and purchasing power.

Source: AFP