Aircraft at Brussels Airport | Image credit: GR Mottez/Unsplash
Highlights
Brussels Airport has announced the cancellation of flights on May 12, 2026, due to a nation-wide strike.
The disruption is expected to impact thousands of passengers due to limited flight operations.
Brussels Airport is bracing to face a major travel disruption due to an upcoming nationwide strike against government policies on May 12, 2026, in Belgium. The airport has announced that a large number of flights will be cancelled, with operations running on limited staffing. Further, the airport has also warned that this can also have an impact on arriving flights.
Also, read about why Europe’s summer flights are at risk.
How will the strike disrupt flights at Brussels Airport?
#UnionAction 12 May ⚠️ Part of the departing flights will unfortunately be cancelled due to expected limited staffing. This may also impact some arriving flights. Public transport to/from #BrusselsAirport will be affected as well. We apologise for the inconvenience. ➡️ More info:… pic.twitter.com/o5Da6UqjTm
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) April 28, 2026
According to The Brussels Times, around half of all scheduled flights will be cancelled from Brussels Airport on May 12, 2026, and nearly 60,000 passengers could be affected on this day. The airport has announced that airlines will contact passengers in the upcoming days to share details about their flights.
Regular operations at Brussels Airport, like security screening, check-in, and ground-handling services, are likely to face staff shortages. Arriving flights may operate normally but could experience delays and baggage issues. The airport’s official website has warned that the strike may disrupt public transport and has advised passengers to check for updates from authorities or official channels.
What is the strike about?
The nationwide strike is part of a broader protest of the country’s three trade unions (Christian ACV, ABVV and ACLVB) against the Belgian government’s economic and social policies.
Concerns, including increasing retirement age, wage pressures, and proposed policy reforms, remain at the centre of the strike.
Workers across multiple sectors, including transport, security, and public services, are expected to participate.
As essential airport services rely heavily on these sectors, the industrial action is set to disrupt flight operations at Brussels Airport.
According to Euronews, this will be the ninth strike, which will impact flight operations at Brussels Airport since the start of 2025.
(Feature image credit: GR Mottez/Unsplash)
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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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A writer by passion, Vanya loves spending time in nature and exploring new places. Her inquisitive side ..Read Moreled her into the travel space. If not on her laptop, she\’s usually reading a book or creating a new artwork. Read Less