Mar 11, 2026, 3:56 p.mMar 11, 2026, 3:56 p.m
Travelers have to prepare for restrictions on air travel due to a nationwide strike in Belgium.
The country’s largest unions again called for people to stop work this Thursday to demonstrate against planned social reforms.
Belgium’s two largest airports have already announced that no flights will take off from their airfields on March 12th. No planes will land at Charleroi Airport south of Brussels either. At least some planes should be able to arrive at Brussels-Zaventem Airport. Passengers who have not been informed by the airline are encouraged to check the status of their flight.
Some planes should be able to arrive at Brussels-Zaventem Airport despite the strike.Image: keystone
Public transport is also on strike in some Belgian cities. In Brussels, among other places, buses and trains will be severely affected. Long-distance train services were already on strike from Monday to Wednesday inclusive.
Government wants to save billions of euros
According to the Belga news agency, it is the eighth time since the beginning of 2025 that air traffic in Brussels has been disrupted by a union action that is not directed against the airport. As with the nationwide strikes in November, the government’s social reforms are the reason for the strike on March 12th.
The Belgian government has announced far-reaching austerity measures to save 9.2 billion euros by 2029. Belgium, one of the most indebted EU countries, needs to save massively to meet the European Union’s debt and deficit rules. At the same time, Belgium is obliged under NATO plans to drastically increase its defense spending in the coming years. (hkl/sda/dpa)