All flights from Brussels Airport will grounded on 25 June 2025 due to trade union action that will see a repetition of mass protests in the streets of the Belgian capital following monthly demonstrations against government policy. The airport will be affected despite a recent plea to unions to take alternative measures to express their dissatisfaction with government policy.
An update on the airport’s website notes that staff working for the airport’s security service provider will be participating in the industrial action, and therefore “we unfortunately expect major disruptions to our airport operations on that day.”
Outbound flights cancelled and some arriving flights also affected
As a result the airport, in consultation with airlines, has decided “not to operate any departing flights on 25 June” with the aim of ensuring the safety of passengers and staff. Cancellations on incoming flights are “also possible” the airport warns.
Airlines will be contacting passengers directly to inform them of their options. The airport also advises travellers to “check the status of their flight with their airline or on our website or the app.” However it points out, that “the flight overview on our website will show cancellations only once they are registered by the airline.”
Other transport options are likely to be impacted too. In addition to the wiping of airport schedules, “significant disruption to public transport is expected.” The airport urges travellers to “Please consult the website of NMBS/SNCB and De Lijn for the latest information regarding their services.”
#unionaction June 25 ⚠️ Departing flights will unfortunately be cancelled due to participation from security staff to the action. Cancellations are also possible on some arriving flights. Public transport to/from #brusselsairport will be affected as well. We apologise for the… pic.twitter.com/u8R7teicri
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) June 12, 2025
Wider fallout
The strike action has been taking place once a month throughout 2025 so far in response to government proposals on pensions and working conditions. Despite expressing solidarity with their right to strike and “regret” for “the inconvenience caused,” on 6 June 2025 Brussels Airport, alongside Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines, and Tui fly, issued a strongly-worded appeal to labour unions to choose different ways to pressure the government.
“These repeated actions, directed against the policies and measures of the federal government, are having a disproportionate impact on tens of thousands of passengers, airline staff and the aviation sector as a whole,” the joint letter said. Over 180,000 passengers had been profoundly affected by the strikes, the aviation stakeholders said, pointing out that: “Travel plans often involve hotel bookings, event reservations, and other arrangements. These 180,000 people have suffered significant inconvenience and financial consequences due to the strikes.”
The letter also noted the economic and reputational damage to Belgian aerospace caused by constant uncertainty and cancellations.
Liberal union ACLBV / CGSLB will be participating in the strikes for the first time on 25 June. Travel Tomorrow has contacted them and the major Belgian unions for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
