On Thursday, 13 February 2025, Belgium will experience a complete halt in commercial air traffic as air traffic controllers join a nationwide strike protesting the government’s proposed pension reforms. According to Brussels Airport, the strike will commence at 6:45 am and conclude at 10:15 pm, affecting all flights below 7,500 meters at major airports, including Brussels, Charleroi, LiĂšge, Antwerp, and Ostend.
â 13 Feb National #demonstration. 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⊠pic.twitter.com/02DM1jcCza
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) February 12, 2025
Initially, cancellations were announced for departing flights from Brussels and Charleroi due to planned walkouts by baggage handling and security staff. Subsequently, the ACV Transcom union declared that air traffic controllers would also participate in the strike, expressing solidarity with workers impacted by the government’s cost-cutting measures in public services, particularly the proposed pension reforms.Â
The strike’s impact extends beyond air travel. Public transport networks nationwide are expected to face significant disruptions, with many local and regional trains being cancelled. Additionally, numerous schools will remain closed as tens of thousands of teachers plan to attend a rally in Brussels.
đŽ PRĂVISIONS JEUDI 13/02 – GRĂVE NATIONALE – PERTURBATIONS ATTENDUES TOUTE LA JOURNĂE
— STIB-MIVB (@STIBMIVB) February 12, 2025
Nous prĂ©voyons d'importantes perturbations sur le rĂ©seau de la STIB toute la journĂ©e du 13/02, en raison de la journĂ©e dâaction en front commun syndical.
En principe les lignes suivantes⊠pic.twitter.com/65e9kotIES
Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for information regarding rebooking or refunds. Authorities recommend travellers to seek alternative transportation methods and to anticipate delays in other public services due to the widespread nature of the strike.
Why is the strike happening?
The general strike has been called by a suite of trade unions following a series of demonstrations and protests, including a 10,000-strong rally in the Belgian capital at the start of February. The issue at stake is a raft of employment reforms proposed by the so-called Arizona coalition government made up of MR, Les Engagés, N-VA, CD&V, and Vooruit parties.
Planned changes include pension reforms, wage freezes, changes to the way annual indexations happen, longer working hours and other contractual adaptations, as well as austerity cuts to public services and green policies. They have been dubbed a âfrontal assault on the entire world of workâ by the general labour federation, the ABVV union.
