Tens of thousands of passengers are bracing for travel mayhem in Europe today as a nationwide strike brings Belgium to a complete standstill.
Two of the nation’s primary airports have confirmed widespread cancellations for today, October 14, with flights grounded and severe delays anticipated. Other modes of transport will also be affected by the strikes, as workers protest changes to their pay and working conditions.
At Brussels Airport, the country’s largest international travel hub, all outbound flights have been axed, whilst approximately half of all incoming services have been scrapped.
Brussels Charleroi Airport, which serves as a crucial hub for budget carriers such as Ryanair, has also confirmed that all flights, both incoming and outgoing, will be cancelled on Tuesday.
Metro, bus and tram services nationwide are also anticipated to face significant disruption. Brussels Airport spokesman Jeffrey Franssens revealed on Monday that 115 of 238 scheduled arrivals have been cancelled.
A fortnight ago, the airport announced that all 234 departures had been axed due to a planned walkout by “a large number” of G4S security personnel.
The airport cautioned of “major disruptions” on the strike day, noting that both Monday and Wednesday would be exceptionally hectic as passengers attempt to reorganise their travel arrangements.
Charleroi Airport stated on its website: “Passengers affected scheduled to fly via Charleroi on 14 October will be contacted in the coming days by their airline for a rebooking or refund.”
The Brussels Times reports that a staggering 48,000 passengers will be impacted by the strike, with 33,000 scheduled to depart and 15,000 due to arrive.
Union representatives are predicting a huge turnout at their demonstration in Brussels. “We want to send a strong signal,” declared ACLVB spokesperson Kurt Van Hissenhoven.