Around 140 arrivals and departures were cancelled at Brussels Airport on Friday 9 October as ground-handler Alyzia operated with limited staff while its workers joined a national union demonstration against federal austerity measures.
What happened
The airport said roughly half of all Alyzia-handled flights operated as planned. The other main handler, Aviapartner, was unaffected. Alyzia serves around 20 airlines, including Brussels Airlines, Emirates and United Airlines.
Brussels Airlines cut about 40 percent of its Friday schedule, affecting around 30,000 passengers. The airline stressed it is not part of the dispute and said this is the third time this year its schedule has been disrupted by external industrial action. Cancellations only appeared on the airport boards after airlines registered them, so the airport advised passengers to check their flight status and airline communications directly.
The national demonstration also heavily disrupted Brussels’ metro, tram and bus network on 9 October, making getting around the city difficult for much of the day.
No knock-on disruption today
The strike was a one-day action linked to the demonstration, and no ongoing flight disruption at Brussels Airport has been reported for 10 October. However, travellers should note that a public-sector union action on Monday 12 October is expected to heavily disrupt Belgian trains, buses and metro services, though it is not expected to affect flights. Anyone travelling through Brussels on Monday should allow extra time for airport transfers and check SNCB train status.
Your rights if your flight was cancelled
If you were affected by the 9 October cancellations, UK261 gives you the right to a refund or rerouting. Because this strike was by ground handlers rather than the airline’s own staff, cash compensation is unlikely to apply, but duty of care still does. Keep boarding passes and receipts for meals or hotels, and claim via the airline’s website.
