As a national Belgian strike approaches on 31 March 2025, officials at Brussels Airport have confirmed that no departing flights will operate on that day due to industrial action by “a large number” of its security staff, ground crews and baggage handling personnel. The walkout, planned by socialist trade union FGTB/ABVV and Christian union CSC/ACV, is expected to cause widespread disruption on public transport too.
The union action follows a wave of previous protests in response to new Belgian coalition government plans that affect people’s pensions, working conditions and pay. In mid-January and mid-February strikes and demonstrations brought the country almost to a standstill, as workers from sectors as varied as education, public transport and aviation safety withdrew their labour and joined mass demonstrations in the capital and other cities. On those two previous occasions, 40% and 0% of flights operated at the airport respectively, both inbound and outbound flights dropping to zero on 13 February mainly due to strike absences among Skeyes air traffic control staff.
⚠ National #strike on 31 March by handlers & security staff. Airport operations will be disrupted, all departing flights will be cancelled & impact expected on arrivals. Impacted passengers will be notified by their airline. Public transport could also be impacted.
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) March 24, 2025
More info:… pic.twitter.com/xTIOQ0Qb1f
No departing flights and impact on arrivals
Now anticipating “major disruptions to airport operations on that day”, the airport operator has said in a press release on its website that with regret it had decided “not to operate any departing passenger flights on 31 March” in order to “ensure the safety of passengers and staff”. The announcement also said that “airlines will contact passengers whose flight has been impacted.” Officials asked that passengers refrain from travelling to the airport that day.
Though the 24 March announcement focuses on outbound journeys, wiping all the day’s 244 departures from the schedule, a warning banner on the Brussels Airport website notes that arrivals could face disruption too, stating: “National strike on Monday 31 March. No departing flights and impact on arriving flights.”
Check with airlines and consider rebooking
In its more detailed alert, the airport again points out that “cancellations are also possible on arriving flights.” As a result, the international hub is advising passengers to “check the status of their flight with their airline or on our website or the app.” It noted that once airlines had confirmed the status of their flights, the information would be shared on the airport website.
Having already warned of potential disruption a week ago, national flag carrier Brussels Airlines had opened up its bookings to allow passengers with journeys likely to be impacted to adjust their travel itineraries free of charge. Over 60% of passengers have “made us of this option” the airline said, expressing “regret that these actions are causing inconvenience” and promising to “continue to do everything we can to assist them as best we can and find solutions.”
