Belgium airports impacted by another nationwide strike

Another nationwide strike is taking place in Belgium on Wednesday, 26 November, and it is going to cause significant disruption at the country’s main airports EBBR/Brussels and EBCI/Charleroi.

The last major strike on 25 June did not involve ATC, but airport operations were still severely disrupted. Airlines had to cancel all departures and in some cases arrivals at both EBBR and EBCI. BizAv at Brussels saw only minor delays to services, while at Charleroi availability was still being evaluated on the day.

For the upcoming strike on 26 November, the situation is similar in terms of airport staffing. However, ATC has now been confirmed as fully operational, so BizAv services should remain largely unaffected despite the wider airport disruptions.

In addition to flight disruptions, significant delays to public ground transport are expected across Belgium, affecting trains and local services. Plan for potential delays getting to the airport.

Here’s what we currently know about the impact of the strike at the main airports:

EBBR/Brussels

Notam issued requiring airlines to cancel all departures that require passenger security screening:

A4394/25 - AD LTD DUE TO A NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION - FORCE MAJEURE.
STAFFING LEVELS FOR MANY OPERATIONAL PARTNERS AT EBBR WILL BE
SEVERELY IMPACTED. NO FLIGHTS ARE TO BE OPERATED WITH LOCAL
DEPARTING PAX. TO AVOID MAJOR DISRUPTIONS, ALL AIRLINES ARE URGED TO
REDUCE THEIR FLIGHT PROGRAM ACCORDINGLY. NO IMPACT ON GENERAL
AVIATION

The airport has announced that no departing flights requiring passenger screening will be possible, as security staff will be fully involved in the strike. Only cargo flights, ferry flights without crew requiring screening, and transfer-only departures where passengers remain airside are expected to operate. Arrivals may still be possible, but airlines are advised to avoid overnight transits or pax needing re-screening.

For BizAv, the outlook is better. Local handlers report no expected disruption, as ATC will be operating normally throughout the strike.

Contact: hostess.belgium@execujet.com.

EBCI/Charleroi

The airport has confirmed a full cancellation of both arrivals and departures on November 26 for airlines due to strike-related staffing shortages:

A4385/25 - AD LTD DUE TO A NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION - FORCE MAJEURE,
STAFFING LEVEL OF MANY OPR PARTNERS WILL BE SEVERELY IMPACTED. 100 PERCENT
REDUCTION FOR ARRIVING AND DEPARTING FLIGHTS IS REQUIRED. AIRLINES
ARE REQUIRED TO CANCEL THEIR ARRIVING AND DEPARTING FLIGHTS IN THIS
TIMEFRAME

All commercial flights will be cancelled for the day, but BizAv should still be able to operate as ATC will be fully staffed. Local handlers expect international BizAv movements to continue through the executive terminal.

Contact: general.aviation@charleroi-airport.com

Belgium airports impacted by another nationwide strike