Flights across Belgium were heavily disrupted after a sudden air traffic strike caused widespread cancellations and delays at major airports. The action affected both passenger and cargo operations and is expected to continue during peak travel hours.
The Belgium air traffic strike began overnight on Monday when air traffic controllers walked off the job without prior warning. The strike quickly led to major disruptions across the country’s aviation network.
At Charleroi Airport, around 30 passenger flights were cancelled due to the shortage of available air traffic control staff. The disruption caused confusion among travelers and forced airlines to adjust schedules.
Cargo operations were also affected. At Liège Airport, approximately 40 cargo flights were impacted, slowing down logistics and freight movement across the region.
The strike is being coordinated by staff working with Skeyes, which manages air traffic control services in Belgium. The company confirmed that air traffic would be halted again on Tuesday afternoon due to ongoing industrial action.
At Brussels Airport, the country’s busiest travel hub, the strike caused significant delays. Around 25 departing flights were delayed by one to two hours, and two incoming flights had to be diverted to other airports.
Cargo operations at Brussels Airport were also disrupted. DHL’s freight services were among those affected, leading to delays in shipments and logistics operations.
The strike is linked to a dispute over future working conditions related to a new digital control tower planned in Namur. The facility is expected to centralise air traffic control operations for Liège and Charleroi airports starting next year.
Workers say they are concerned about how the new system will change their roles and responsibilities. They are calling for clearer guarantees about job conditions and operational safety.
The digital control tower project is part of a broader modernization plan for Belgium’s air traffic system. Authorities aim to improve efficiency by centralising control operations and using advanced digital tools.
However, employees argue that the transition has not been properly managed. They say more consultation is needed before the new system becomes operational.
Airport authorities are now working to manage the disruption and reduce the impact on passengers and cargo operators. Airlines have been forced to reschedule flights and adjust operations where possible.
Travelers were advised to check flight status before heading to airports, as further delays and cancellations remain possible if the strike continues.
The Belgium air traffic strike highlights growing tensions between modernization plans and workforce concerns in the aviation sector. While digital systems promise greater efficiency, staff say the transition must be handled carefully to avoid operational risks.
For now, uncertainty remains over how long the strike will continue. If no agreement is reached, further disruptions to air travel across Belgium are expected in the coming days.
