Major European airport cancels all departing flights as national strike looms

All departures from Brussels Airport (BRU) have been cancelled on November 26, 2025, in response to a national strike in Belgium that is set to last three days.  

On November 19, 2025, Brussels Airport turned to social media to warn passengers that its security and handling staff will be participating in nationwide industrial action. 

The airport apologized for the inconvenience and said that cancellations could also be possible on some arriving flights. 

Although the national strike will last three days from November 24 to 26, 2025, Brussels Airport will only be impacted on the final day.  

On day one only railway workers will strike while on day two those working within public services will also join industrial action. On day three, private sector employees will also strike. 

#unionaction 26 November  Departing flights will unfortunately be cancelled due to participation from security and handling staff to the action. Cancellations are also possible on some arriving flights. Public transport to/from #brusselsairport will be affected as well. We… pic.twitter.com/T6MaaYqjrU— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) November 19, 2025 In a statement, Brussels Airport said: “Due to the national industrial action on Wednesday 26 November in which the staff of the security and handling service provider is participating, we unfortunately expect major disruptions to our airport operations on that day.”       

The airport added: “To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, we have decided, in consultation with the airlines, not to operate any departing flights on 26 November. In the upcoming days, the airlines will contact passengers directly to inform them of their options.” 

According to the airport, the flight overview on its website will show cancellations only once they are registered by the airline. So far Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) has not reported any planned cancellations.  

In an update on its website, Brussels Airlines said: “At the moment, we are evaluating the impact on our flight schedule.” 

On the British Foreign Office website, the department warned UK nationals that the three-day strike in Belgium would affect airports, public transport and some public services, including schools. 

Unions have called nationwide strikes to rally against austerity measures brought in by the Belgium government.  

National strikes in Belgium have already been held in March, April and October 2025. 

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