Brussels Airport has announced there will be major disruptions to air traffic schedules on 12 and 13 February 2025 due to widespread industrial action taking place across Belgium.
No air traffic for 24 hours
As a result of the national strike, Skeyes, the Belgian air navigation service provider, has been forced to inform Brussels Airport that no air traffic will be allowed to operate for a 24-hour period from 10:00 pm on 12 February to 10:00 pm on 13 February. Ground handlers and security staff at the airport are also expected to join the walkout.
“Given the expected impact, a large number of flights will be canceled or rescheduled,” says Brussels Airport, who, at the time of writing, were expecting to be able to give a further update during the afternoon of 10 February. “The airlines will contact passengers on the affected flights directly.” The airport terminal will remain open but officials are requesting that passengers avoid all travel to the hub and have expressed “regret for the inconvenience this action causes.”
⚠ Due to a national manifestation & strike by handlers & security staff on 13/2, airport operations will be disrupted. Several flights may be cancelled/rescheduled, impacted passengers will be notified by their airline. Impact is also possible on public transport. Please consult… pic.twitter.com/mmV71PhgZT
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) February 7, 2025
Bus, tram and train disruptions
Other traffic disruptions expected as a result of the strike include changes to De Lijn bus and tram schedules. The Flemish transport operator has said it is still working out how much of the network will be able to run based on the number of staff who have said they will remain available.
In addition, Wallonia’s TEC network is likely to be affected but information on cancelled routes will only be made available on the day. Commuters should also anticipate disruptions to STIB services across Brussels and again real-time updates will be published.
RAPPEL 🔴 JEUDI 13/02 – Journée nationale d’action ⚠️
— STIB-MIVB (@STIBMIVB) February 10, 2025
Nous prévoyons d'importantes perturbations sur le réseau de la #STIB toute la journée du 13/02, en raison d’une journée nationale d’action du front commun syndical organisée pour contester l’accord de gouvernement fédéral.
🕕… pic.twitter.com/rfblRpSl4z
At the time of writing, SNCB, the Belgian railway operator has not received any strike notice and is therefore not anticipating any impact on its normal operations.
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 “frontal assault on the entire world of work” by the general labour federation, the ABVV union.
