Brussels Airport shuts down on 26 November due to national strike

Brussels Airport Zaventem and Charleroi will be shut down on Wednesday, 26 November, as a nationwide strike disrupts operations across Belgium. The airports cancelled all departing passenger flights after large numbers of security staff and baggage handlers announced they would join the industrial action.

According to the airport, safe operations cannot be guaranteed.

The strike forms part of a three-day campaign by Belgian trade unions ABVV, ACV and ACLVB, who are opposing proposed government reforms. Although the action began on 24 November, the most significant impact is expected on Wednesday, when Brussels Airport is directly affected.

How the strike on 26 November disrupts flights for Zaventem and Charleroi

A substantial share of the airport’s security workforce and baggage-handling staff will participate in the strike. To avoid unsafe conditions and excessive queues, the airport is urging travellers not to come to the terminal.

Brussels Airlines is proactively contacting affected passengers. Travellers scheduled to fly on 26 November are being rebooked free of charge or offered a refund.

The disruption is also affecting surrounding airports. Maastricht Aachen Airport expects increased traffic as airlines divert flights. Qatar Airways will route four aircraft through Maastricht for technical stops, while Wizz Air is diverting eight passenger flights to the airport.

Impact of the nationwide Belgium strike on travellers’ rights

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers whose flights are cancelled or heavily delayed may be entitled to financial compensation of up to €600 per person.

However, this does not apply when the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as a nationwide strike. In such cases, airlines are not held liable for compensation.

Travellers do, however, retain the right to care. Airlines must still offer assistance, such as meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation where necessary, provided they can prove they had no control over the situation and took all reasonable steps to minimise the impact on passengers.