The United Kingdom has updated its travel advisory for citizens planning trips to Belgium to include information about ongoing industrial action in the country and its potential impact on transport services.
Strikes are planned for the 13th of each month until further notice, as well as for 29 April 2025. Severe disruption resulted from previous strikes in February and March 2025, with hundreds of flights cancelled at Brussels Airport and national flag carrier Brussels Airlines allowing rebookings for journeys over the flight period. Public transport was also affected during the strikes. On 31 March, Flemish trams and buses operated at less than 50% and there was a similar situation on the kingdom’s railways, where only a minimal service could be maintained.
⚠ 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
This has led the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) to issue two updates for Belgium, the latest on 18 April. Its travel advice webpages currently warn that: “Rail unions plan to strike on 22 and 29 April. There may be significant disruption across the rail network. A general strike is planned for 29 April and may cause severe travel disruption across the entire country.”
Would-be travellers are urged to “Monitor local news and check with your travel provider regarding potential delays.” The FCDO adds further information on a separate page, alerting travellers that certain areas of the capital, Brussels, such as the European district and Schuman, where the British Embassy is located, can be targeted by demonstrations. While the majority of protests are “peaceful”, the advice notes “there is a risk of unrest or violence.”
It continues: “Strike action is an ongoing issue that can cause severe travel disruption across the country and affect international travel. Strike action may be announced at short notice and planned strike action may be extended at short notice.”
#Belgium New information on upcoming strike action in Belgium https://t.co/WpNU0F63F4 pic.twitter.com/dp3cy1ckHm
— FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) April 18, 2025
The British ministry provides guidance on how potential visitors to Belgium should proceed. “For regular updates on any disruption, check local news and follow advice given by your travel provider. If you are in areas where large gatherings are taking place, remain vigilant and move away quickly if there are signs of disorder. Avoid protests, expect delays on some major roads and follow the advice of the authorities.”
The advisory offers a series of links where travellers can find further details of services and disruptions. These are:
- Belgian Railways (train and metro travel)
- Brussels, Walloon and Flemish (regional public transport)
- HERE map
And for international travel:
