Published on
September 18, 2025
On September 17, 2025, travel across Ghana, Togo, Belgium, Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands was disrupted as Brussels Airlines and Cityjet grounded eight flights, leaving passengers stranded at major airports. According to data from FlightAware, the cancellations primarily affected flights between Europe and West Africa, as well as key European routes. Brussels Airlines had to cancel four of its “BEELINE” flights, while Cityjet grounded four of its services between Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands. These cancellations with 41 delays, impacted passenger schedules. Passengers in cities like Accra, Lomé, Brussels, Frankfurt, Ljubljana and Amsterdam found themselves in a state of uncertainty. The disruption has raised concerns about the ripple effect on both business and tourism. This report will dive into the specifics of the affected flights, routes, delays and what passengers can do in a situation like this.
The flight cancellations affected a total of eight services operated by Brussels Airlines and Cityjet. Brussels Airlines grounded four of its flights, impacting travelers on routes between Europe and West Africa. The cancellations included BEL277 (A333), scheduled from Brussels to Accra and the return flight BEL277 from Accra to Lomé. Additionally, BEL278 (A333), which was supposed to operate from Lomé to Accra, was also canceled, along with the return flight BEL278 from Accra to Brussels. These cancellations disrupted travel for passengers flying between Belgium, Ghana and Togo, affecting key international connections for both business and leisure travelers.
Cityjet also faced significant cancellations, with four of its flights grounded. The affected services included BCY1460 (CRJX) from Frankfurt to Ljubljana and BCY1461 (CRJX), which was supposed to operate the return flight from Ljubljana to Frankfurt. Furthermore, BCY996 (CRJ9), scheduled to fly from Frankfurt to Amsterdam, was also canceled, along with BCY997 (CRJ9), the return flight from Amsterdam to Frankfurt. These cancellations disrupted flights between Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands, leaving passengers stranded in major European hubs.
Affected Routes
The disruption involved flights connecting key international airports across Europe and Africa. Brussels Airlines’ routes between Belgium, Ghana and Togo were severely impacted, leaving many passengers unable to complete their journeys or make their connecting flights.
The following routes were specifically affected:
Brussels to Accra (BEL277)Accra to Lomé (BEL277)Lomé to Accra (BEL278)Accra to Brussels (BEL278)
These cancellations particularly disrupted travel between Europe and West Africa, two regions with significant expatriate communities, business connections and tourism flows. The Togo-Ghana route is crucial for business travelers, while the Brussels-Accra route serves a large number of European travelers heading to Ghana’s bustling commercial sector.
For Cityjet, the cancellations impacted flights between Germany, Slovenia and the Netherlands. The affected routes were:
Frankfurt to Ljubljana (BCY1460)Ljubljana to Frankfurt (BCY1461)Frankfurt to Amsterdam (BCY996)Amsterdam to Frankfurt (BCY997)
These disruptions had a significant impact on passengers looking to travel between major business hubs in Europe. Frankfurt and Amsterdam are both crucial financial centers, while Ljubljana is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for regional tourism.
Delays
In addition to the cancellations, both airlines reported a notable number of delays. Brussels Airlines had 21 delayed flights, amounting to a 9% delay rate. Cityjet reported 20 delays, with a higher percentage of 15%. These delays exacerbated the inconvenience for passengers, especially those already affected by the flight cancellations.
The delays were particularly disruptive for travelers with tight schedules, as many had connections to other flights or important business meetings. For passengers traveling in or out of Accra, Lomé, Brussels, Frankfurt, Ljubljana and Amsterdam, these delays compounded the travel frustration and added to the overall disruption of their journeys.
Affected Airports
Several airports in the affected countries were directly impacted by the flight disruptions. These include major international hubs such as:
These airports, all significant in their respective regions, have witnessed disruption due to the cancellations and delays. Passengers have been left stranded in long queues, while some were forced to seek alternative routes.
The grounding of flights and the resulting disruption will likely have an impact on local tourism in the affected countries. Accra, Lomé, Brussels, Frankfurt, Ljubljana and Amsterdam all benefit from significant international tourism and such widespread flight cancellations could affect their tourism industries.
Ghana and Togo: Both countries rely on international air traffic for business and tourism, especially from the European Union and other regions. The flight cancellations may deter future travelers, as potential tourists will now consider alternative destinations where air travel is more reliable.Belgium and Germany: As major travel hubs, these countries host a steady stream of tourists, with Belgium’s rich history and Germany’s bustling cities attracting travelers from around the world. The disruptions may cause short-term negative effects on tourism, particularly for visitors looking to make onward connections to West Africa.Slovenia and the Netherlands: Slovenia’s tourism sector is largely driven by European travelers and Amsterdam is a well-known international tourist destination. Any disruption in these routes could lead to a drop in tourist arrivals, affecting local economies that depend on tourism.
For passengers affected by these cancellations and delays, there are a few steps they can take:
Contact the Airline: Passengers should reach out to Brussels Airlines or Cityjet directly to confirm the status of their flight, discuss rebooking options, or request a refund if necessary.Check for Alternative Flights: Affected travelers may want to explore other airlines or alternative routes to reach their final destinations.File a Complaint: Passengers may be entitled to compensation under EU regulations or other local laws for the inconvenience caused by cancellations and delays.Stay Updated: Travelers should stay informed about the status of their flights by checking the airlines’ websites or airport monitors for updates.
In conclusion, the flight cancellations and delays caused by Brussels Airlines and Cityjet have left travelers stranded across several key airports. Based on FlightAware data, passengers are advised to stay updated with their airlines for rebooking or refunds.
Image Credit- Brussels Airlines
