A national strike planned in Belgium on Monday 31 March 2025 has prompted Brussels Airlines to warn passengers about possible disruption at Brussels Airport that day. With disruption “likely” passengers are being offered the chance to rebook travel for an alternative date.
Organised by the country’s general labour federation (FGTB/ABVV) and Christian trade confederation CSC/ACV, the walkout will involve the country’s largest rail unions in protesting new federal measures that they say will negatively affect workers’ automatic wage indexation, pensions, and working conditions.
Widespread disruption during previous strikes
The end of March labour stoppage is the latest in a wave of responses to the new “Arizona” coalition government, whose proposals have already prompted widespread industrial action. In mid-January and mid-February 2025, strikes and demonstrations were joined by tens of thousands of employees from a range of sectors, including educators, refuse collectors, and postal office staff.
Brussels Airport was impacted on both occasions, only managing 60% of flights during January’s strike, and zero incoming or outgoing flights on 13 February, when the combined absence of baggage handlers, security staff and Skeyes air traffic controllers brought airport operations to a halt.
Free rebooking or refunds due to “likely” airport problems
In the light of that previous disruption, the flag carrier Brussels Airlines has put out a statement warning that the 31 March strike “will most likely have an impact on the handling companies at Brussels Airport.” Recognising that passengers want certainty around their travel plans as early as possible, the airline added that it is “currently assessing the impact these social actions will have on our flight schedule. We have not cancelled any flights at this time, and we ask for your patience.”
Although no flight cancellations have yet been announced, the airline is offering free rebooking for flights scheduled between 28 March and 9 April 2025. Passengers can use the Brussels Airlines chat assistant “Charlie” to change their travel dates or ask to be connected to a real agent. Alternatively, the statement added that “people who no longer wish to travel can cancel their flight and request a refund. This can be done via the Brussels Airlines website by choosing ‘voluntary cancellation’.”
Meanwhile, neither Brussels Airport itself, nor Skeyes authorities, have yet quantified the likely scale of their workforce for the strike day. Airport spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli said the hub hopes to have a clearer idea of how operations will unfold around 24 February 2025.
