Ryanair has issued a statement as all flights are cancelled to Brussels Airport on Tuesday. Thousands of passengers have been hit by travel chaos after all departures and arrivals at Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport were suspended following a surprise strike by Belgian air traffic controllers.
The so-called wildcat strike at Belgium’s national air traffic control provider, Skeyes, began at 2pm, with both airports confirming the disruption. Brussels Airport advised departing passengers not to travel to the airport for flights scheduled between 2pm and 7pm, all of which have been cancelled. The airport said around 140 flights had been affected by the industrial action. In a statement on its website, Brussels Airport said: “Flights scheduled between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. will be delayed until after 9 p.m. if possible.”
Meanwhile, Brussels South Charleroi Airport said the surprise action had already “led to the cancellation of numerous flights between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.”
The airport added that the resumption of the strike in the afternoon was expected to disrupt most departures and arrivals until 9pm.
Low-cost carrier Ryanair said the strike had forced it to cancel 100 flights, affecting almost 20,000 passengers.
“While we respect the right to strike, it is unacceptable that airlines were given zero notice of today’s Belgian air traffic control strike,” Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said in a statement.
According to Flemish public-service broadcaster VRT, the strike at Skeyes is linked to negotiations between management and trade unions over a new digital air traffic control centre serving Charleroi Airport and Liège’s cargo airport, which will be based in Namur.
Staff have reportedly raised concerns about the new system, the move to the new site and other long-running workplace issues, including shift scheduling and pay differences between control tower staff.
Despite the widespread disruption at Belgium’s two major airports, real-time data from Flightradar24 showed the strike was not affecting flights passing through Belgian airspace on their way to other destinations.
Brussels Airlines said it was working to minimise the impact on travellers affected by the disruption.
“Our teams are doing everything they can to find solutions for our travellers,” the airline said.
It added: “We deeply regret the disruption these actions are causing our passengers and staff, especially as the actions are taking place without prior notice.
“We understand the inconvenience and uncertainty this creates for thousands of travellers.”
The airline said some incoming flights had been diverted to Paris and Frankfurt, while some departures would only be able to leave after 9pm.
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