Last updated: May 8, 2026

What Is the Belgium Strike on May 12?

Belgium’s three largest trade union confederations — ACV-CSC, ABVV-FGTB, and ACLVB-CGSLB — have called a 24-hour nationwide strike for Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The walkout targets federal socio-economic reforms, including pension changes for commercial pilots.

The strike goes well beyond aviation. Cabin crew, baggage handlers, security screeners, air-traffic controllers, rail workers, and bus drivers are all expected to walk out, according to Brussels Airport.

Why it matters for travelers

Both of Belgium’s major airports — Brussels Airport (BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) — will be severely disrupted. Public transport to and from the airports will also be affected, so even flights that do operate may be difficult to reach.

Which Flights Are Canceled?

The disruption is massive. Here is the airport-by-airport breakdown.

Brussels Airport (BRU)

Brussels Airport has ordered airlines to cancel more than half of the roughly 650 flights scheduled for May 12. Around 60,000 passengers are expected to be affected.

Arrivals will see limited impact, but departures are heavily hit.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL)

All flights at Charleroi Airport have been canceled for May 12. The airport confirmed it cannot guarantee flight safety with the expected staffing shortages.

This affects approximately 35,000 passengers across 180 scheduled services.

Airlines affected

Every airline operating out of Belgian airports on May 12 is impacted. The confirmed list includes:

Airlines including Lufthansa, easyJet, and Air Canada are also expected to issue travel waivers for fee-free date changes within a 7- to 14-day window around May 12.

How Are GCC and Middle East Travelers Affected?

Travelers flying between the Gulf and Brussels face direct disruption. Emirates operates around 13 weekly flights on the Dubai-Brussels route.

With Brussels Airport cutting over half its departures, there is a strong chance that at least one Emirates service will be canceled on May 12. Note that as of May 2026, Qatar Airways’ Brussels service remains suspended and is not scheduled to resume until 16 June 2026.

Travelers from Dubai and other Gulf cities who just got their European schedules back to normal now may now face another round of cancellations for the day.

Your Rights: Refunds, Rebooking, and EU Passenger Protection

If your flight is canceled due to the Belgium strike, you still have rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 — but with important limitations.

What you are entitled to

A full refund for your unused ticket, or free rebooking to your destination on an alternative flight
Care and assistance during delays — meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required, and two free phone calls or emails
Rerouting to your final destination via alternative transport if available

What you probably will not get

EC 261 cash compensation (the EUR 250-600 payouts) is unlikely. Strikes by airport staff, security screeners, and air-traffic controllers are generally classified as “extraordinary circumstances” outside the airline’s control, which exempts airlines from paying compensation.

However, your right to a refund or rebooking is absolute regardless of the reason for cancellation. For airline-specific cancellation and refund procedures, see our guides for Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Ryanair.

What to Do If You Are Affected

If you have a flight to or from Belgium on May 12, take action now:

Check your flight status: Monitor your airline’s app, email, or the Wego flight tracker for real-time updates.

Rebook or reroute proactively: Contact your airline to rebook for May 11 or 13 (most offer fee-free changes). Alternatively, reroute through a nearby hub:

Keep all receipts: Document expenses for meals, hotels, and alternative transport. You can claim reimbursement for reasonable costs if stranded by the strike.

Please note: Policies and schedules change quickly. We recommend checking the official Brussels Airport website for the latest updates before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Belgium strike only affecting flights?

No. Trains, buses, and public transport across Belgium are also expected to be disrupted on May 12. If you are driving to the airport, expect road delays from protest marches in Brussels and other cities.

Will I get compensation for a canceled flight?

EC 261 cash compensation (EUR 250-600) is unlikely because the strike qualifies as an “extraordinary circumstance.” However, you are entitled to a full refund or free rebooking, plus care and assistance (meals, accommodation) if you are stranded.

Are flights on May 11 or May 13 safe to book?

The strike is a single-day action on May 12. Flights on May 11 and May 13 are expected to operate normally, though some residual delays are possible on the morning of May 13 as operations ramp back up.

Can I fly into Amsterdam or Paris and take a train to Belgium instead?

Yes, this is the recommended alternative. Amsterdam is about 2 hours from Brussels by train, and Paris CDG is roughly 1.5 hours via Eurostar high-speed rail. However, Belgian rail services may also be affected by the strike, so check schedules for cross-border trains that originate outside Belgium.

Sources

Brussels Airport — Slot Advice and Strike Information
Aviation24.be — Charleroi Airport to Cancel All Flights on 12 May
LoyaltyLobby — Brussels Airport Orders Airlines to Cancel More Than Half of Flights
VRT NWS — Charleroi Cancels All Flights on May 12
Belgian Federal Public Service Mobility — Passenger Rights
AirHelp — Brussels Airport May 12 Flight Cuts: What to Expect
Euronews — Brussels Airport Warns of Large Number of Cancellations
TheTravel — United Airlines Issues Strike Warning at Brussels Hub

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.