All departures from Brussels Airport on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, have been cancelled due to a national strike in Belgium on that date. Officials anticipate that flight arrivals at the airport will also be affected, with security and baggage handling staff expected to join the walkout.
Brussels Airport’s spokesperson Jeffrey Franssens said the grounding of all departures would “guarantee the safety of passengers and staff” and “prevent long queues from forming,” adding that “a total of 206 departing flights will be affected” and that those passengers will be contacted directly by airlines.
It is the latest in a series of strikes over the past year protesting fiscal and welfare measures imposed by the interim coalition federal government. Around 275,000 passenger journeys have been disrupted so far, and losses to the Belgian economy are estimated at €175 million.
#unionaction 26 November ⚠️ Departing flights will unfortunately be cancelled due to participation from security and handling staff to the action. Cancellations are also possible on some arriving flights. Public transport to/from #brusselsairport will be affected as well. We… pic.twitter.com/T6MaaYqjrU
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) November 19, 2025
Brussels Airport has repeatedly pointed out that the impact of the strike action on the aviation sector is outsized and unmerited, given that the airport and airlines are not the target of union complaints. “This is already the seventh national union action this year, once more hitting the airport and its airlines disproportionately, even though the protest is aimed at federal government measures,” Franssens said.
The industrial action affecting the airport is only one of three days of strikes, from 24 to 26 November. The first day, Monday 24 November, involves railway workers, and widespread disruption on rail and public transport networks is likely to continue throughout the three-day period.
Belgium’s national rail operator SNCB-NMBS has said train availability will be limited from Sunday, 23 November at 10 pm until the last train on Wednesday, 26 November, during which time an “alternative service” based on staff availability will run. Travellers should regularly check the SNCB online route planner, which will be updated with the alternative service 24 hours in advance.
On buses, trams, and pre-metros in the capital, operator STIB-MIVB has said it will run a partial service with real-time updates on the network’s status on the STIB website, app, and social media channels.
In Flanders, De Lijn buses and trams are also likely to be reduced during the strike, with fewer services throughout the region. Updated timetables will be published on Saturday, 22 November for Monday, on the evening of Sunday 23 November for Tuesday, and on the evening of Monday 24 November for Wednesday. Again, the De Lijn website or app will provide information.
