Image credit: Brussels Airport/Facebook
Highlights
Brussels Airport is likely to cancel all departing flights as major trade unions call a 24-hour walkout affecting transport and airport staff.
Passengers should check flight status, consider rebooking under flexible airline policies, and know their EU passenger rights for refunds or compensation.
If you’re due to fly out of Brussels next month, you may want to keep a close eye on your booking. Brussels Airport is likely to suspend departing flights on March 12, 2026, after Belgium’s major trade unions called a nationwide 24-hour general strike spanning multiple sectors, including transport and airport operations. A formal strike notice has been issued for the date, paving the way for widespread participation by workers across the country.
The industrial action coincides with a large national protest planned in Brussels and forms part of escalating union mobilisation against federal government reforms, including labour and pension changes.
Also, read our guide to managing flight cancellations, from rebooking to securing a refund.
What you need to know about Brussel’s potential flight delays
Belgium faces widespread travel disruption on 12 March as trade unions plan a nationwide strike, grounding flights from Brussels Airport. #BrusselsMorning #BelgiumStrike #BrusselsAirport #TravelAlert #AirTraffic
Read More: https://t.co/OYhFODGPjK pic.twitter.com/kTakGTJ3Pp
— Brussels Morning Newspaper (@BrusselsMorning) February 19, 2026
Unions including FGTB/ABVV, CSC/ACV and CGSLB/ACLVB are coordinating the strike. Security screeners, baggage handlers and air traffic controllers at Brussels Airport are all likely to join the action. In previous general strikes, the airport has suspended all departing flights (mainly because security and ground handling staff walked out), while arrival operations have sometimes continued in a reduced capacity.
According to travel advice site VisaHQ, Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist has described a complete shutdown of outbound services as the “most realistic scenario”.
The walkout is expected to significantly disrupt public services, transport networks and airport staffing. Between 165 and 250 flights depart each day from Belgium’s busiest airport, so the knock-on impact could be substantial. Some incoming flights may still operate, but travellers should be prepared for schedule changes.
Did you know?
In January 2026 alone, Brussels Airport experienced a strong start to the year, welcoming over 1.6 million passengers.
And what if you’re booked to depart Brussels on March 12, 2026?
Firstly, check your flight status closely with your airline.
If you can, consider rebooking early under the flexible policies now being offered. Air Canada, for example, has activated a flexible rebooking policy for travel from Brussels on March 12, allowing passengers to change flights at no additional cost within a range of dates around the strike. Cancelled bookings can also be converted into credits or future travel funds.
We also recommend visiting the official European Union website to learn more about the air passenger rights and what kind of compensation you can expect from the airlines.
(Feature image credit: Brussels Airport/Facebook)
Related | Why Do Airlines Overbook Flights — And What To Do If You Get Bumped
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read Moreand identity. Her reporting has appeared in National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue India, and Hindustan Times, where she spent two years on staff as a correspondent covering travel and culture. She is an alumna of the University of Westminster`s Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design. Currently based in Delhi, she grew up in various cities across India and has lived in Amsterdam, and London. Read Less