Charleroi airport strike: cancelled flights and your rights
At Charleroi, flights are cancelled mainly for two reasons: strikes by skeyes air traffic controllers, such as those of September 2026, and national action days, when the airport often cancels every flight for lack of security staff. Either way, a third party is striking.
Last updated: October 16, 2026
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Upcoming strikes at Charleroi
As of 16 October 2026, no strike is confirmed at Charleroi. The night strike by skeyes tower controllers was suspended on 23 September 2026 for mediation, without the dispute being settled: it concerns night allowances and the future digital centre in Namur, due to control Liège and Charleroi flights from 2027. The FGTB union is also threatening a general strike in the week of 23 November 2026.
Who works at Charleroi, and who can strike
Brussels South Charleroi Airport is Ryanair's largest Belgian base; Wizz Air also flies there. Flights are handled by the control tower of skeyes, Belgium's air traffic control provider. On national action days, a shortage of security staff is what leads the airport to cancel flights.
Recent strikes at Charleroi
- 16 to 23 September 2026: skeyes controllers struck from 22:00 to 08:00; nearly 30 Ryanair flights cancelled on 16 September and about 40 on 18 September, before the strike was suspended for mediation.
- 2 June 2026: a wildcat strike by skeyes controllers; 39 departures cancelled at Charleroi.
- 12 May 2026: a national demonstration; every flight cancelled.
- 12 March 2026: a national demonstration; no flights.
- 26 November 2025: a national strike; no departures or arrivals.
- In 2025 every flight was also cancelled on 31 March, 29 April, 25 June and 14 October, and every departure from noon on 13 January.
Strike at Charleroi: when compensation is owed
A strike by skeyes air traffic controllers or a national action day is a third-party strike: the fixed compensation of €250 to €600 is generally not owed. Ryanair or Wizz Air must still offer a refund or another flight, and meals, drinks and, if needed, a hotel while you wait; keep your receipts.
If the airline's own staff strike, that is not an extraordinary circumstance (Court of Justice of the European Union, Airhelp v SAS, C-28/20, 2021) and compensation is generally owed. No strike by Ryanair's own staff has hit Charleroi since 2023.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can the air traffic controllers' strike at Charleroi start again?
Yes. It was suspended on 23 September 2026 for mediation, not called off for good. We will update this page if a new action is announced.
Ryanair cancelled my evening flight because of the skeyes strike. Am I owed compensation?
Generally not, because air traffic controllers are a third party. Ryanair must refund you or offer another flight, and pay for meals and, if needed, a hotel; you can claim those costs back with your receipts.
Why are all Charleroi flights cancelled on national strike days?
Because a large share of security staff take part: without security screening passengers cannot board, so the airport prefers to cancel flights in advance.
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Official sources
The texts this page is based on: