Brussels Airport strike: cancelled flights at Zaventem and your rights
Since early 2025, union action days against the federal government's measures have cancelled about 2,400 flights at Brussels Airport, according to the airport. When security staff or baggage handlers join in, the airport asks airlines to cancel some or all departures. Who strikes decides what you are owed.
Last updated: October 16, 2026
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Upcoming strikes at Brussels Airport
As of 16 October 2026, no strike is confirmed at Brussels Airport. The FGTB union has, however, announced a general strike in the week of 23 November 2026 if the federal budget crosses its red lines on wage indexation, VAT or annualised working time; as of 13 October there was no budget deal. We will update this page as soon as a date is confirmed.
What a strike day at Zaventem looks like
When a large share of security staff or baggage handlers join an action, Brussels Airport asks airlines to cut departures, or cancels every departing flight to avoid dangerous queues, and asks passengers to stay away. Arrivals usually partly operate.
An action can also hit just one ground handler: on 9 October 2026 only flights handled by Alyzia were cut, while those handled by Aviapartner, such as Ryanair and TUI fly, left as normal.
Recent strikes at Brussels Airport
- 9 October 2026: a national demonstration joined by Alyzia staff; about a hundred flights cancelled according to Belga, with Brussels Airlines announcing about 40% of its flights cut.
- 2 June 2026: a wildcat strike by skeyes air traffic controllers; about 140 flights cancelled at Brussels Airport.
- 12 May 2026: a national demonstration; the airport limited departures to about 43% of the schedule.
- 12 March 2026: a national demonstration; none of the 228 departures left and 131 arrivals were cancelled, affecting 42,500 passengers.
- 26 November 2025: the last day of a three-day national strike; every departure cancelled.
- 28 and 29 February 2024: a Brussels Airlines cabin crew strike; about 20% and then 30% of its flights cancelled.
Strike at Brussels Airport: when compensation is owed
On a national action day, or in a strike by security staff, baggage handlers or skeyes air traffic controllers, a third party is striking: the fixed compensation of €250 to €600 is generally not owed. The airline must still offer a refund or another flight, and meals, drinks and, if needed, a hotel while you wait.
If your airline's own staff strike, as Brussels Airlines cabin crew did in February 2024, that is not an extraordinary circumstance (Court of Justice of the European Union, Airhelp v SAS, C-28/20, 2021): compensation is generally owed if you were told of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure, or arrived 3 hours or more late. It is for the airline to prove what caused the cancellation.
Where to complain
First complain to the airline in writing. If it has not answered within six weeks, or you disagree with its answer, you can file a complaint online with Belgium's Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, passenger rights service, which covers flights departing from Belgium. It can have the airline sanctioned, but it cannot make it pay you.
Frequently asked questions
A strike is announced at Brussels Airport. Should I go to the airport?
Check your flight's status with your airline first. When the airport cancels departures, it asks passengers not to come, and airlines usually offer rebooking or a refund.
My flight was cancelled on a national action day. Am I owed compensation?
Usually not: a strike by security staff, baggage handlers or other public services is a third party's. You are owed a refund or another flight, and care while you wait.
Brussels Airlines cancelled my flight because of a strike by its own staff. What can I claim?
As well as a refund or another flight, as a rule compensation of €250 to €600 per passenger if you were told of the cancellation less than 14 days before departure: a strike by the airline's own staff is not an extraordinary circumstance.
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Official sources
The texts this page is based on: