Brussels Airports warns of cancelled flights next month amid strikes

Brussels Airport has warned of disruptions to flights as the country braces for strikes next month.

A bulletin posted on the Brussels Airport website, expressing regret for upcoming inconveniences caused, said the national strike action on 12 May will reduce staff at certain service suppliers and disrupt airport operations.

“Unfortunately, a large number of departing flights will have to be cancelled. This can also impact certain arriving flights,” the bulletin also read, adding that passengers impacted will be contacted and given further options.

According to The Brussels Times, as many as half of flights scheduled on 12 May will be cancelled.

“In collaboration with all relevant partners, Brussels Airport is working to ensure that as many flights as possible can depart that day,” Brussels Times quoted the airport as saying.

Public transport services, including Belgium’s national railway provided by SNCB and De Lijn bus and tramway to and from the airport may also face disruptions.

This comes as VRT, a Belgian national public service broadcaster, reported that the country’s three big trade unions, Christian ACV, ABVV and ACLVB, announced upcoming strike action.

Their grievance is rooted in the “unfair situation” of Belgian law insisting pilots continue working until the retirement age of 66. Jan Jambon, the office of pensions minister, argued, presumably to the disdain of pilots, that it may be possible to stretch the retirement age further to 67 instead.

Under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency rules, commercial pilots can fly solo until 60, or continue working an additional five years if they fly as part of a crew.

However, Jambon thinks that rather than restrictions based on age, pilots should instead be assessed on their individual medical and cognitive abilities.

“That is why I will examine how and to what extent the federal government can provide support to conduct this debate within the European Union, with a view to a possible increase to 67 years of age. Because it is important to emphasise that this is a European power,” he said.

Jambon also said that it’s rare for pilots to have to work up to 65, with most meeting their career requirements by 42 – allowing them to retire early.

However, the pilots unions striking next month said while they wanted to avoid strike action, they have reached a “particularly high” point of grievance regarding the issue.

“That combination is downright absurd: pilots are obliged to work, but at the same time are obliged to stop their core activity at 65. The legislation is clearly flawed here,” the unions said in a joint statement.

If the strike goes ahead next month, it will mark the latest in at least eight trade union strikes to impact Brussels Airport since the start of 2025.