Today, Brussels Zaventem Airport has been empty. Earlier, both the airport and Brussels Airlines had notified passengers that all 244 flights scheduled for Monday were canceled.
Workers from both the public and private sectors in Belgium launched a 24-hour nationwide strike, which has caused major disruptions to Belgian public services and transportation, effectively halting all traffic.
The strike was organized by the Christian and Socialist trade unions in response to budget cuts proposed by the coalition government. These cuts are expected to affect pensions, unemployment benefits, public services, and the labor market.
Although the airport was expected to receive several flights into the capital, the actual number has been drastically reduced due to a shortage of ground staff and concerns regarding safety for incoming flights. Additionally, the arrival information on the airport’s website was not updated on Monday, leaving passengers to reach out to their carriers for further details.
Brussels Airlines, the national airline, has also cancelled all outgoing flights and nearly all incoming flights, significantly affecting services from Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Last week, passengers whose flights were likely to be affected were informed and offered the option to either re-book their flights or request a refund.
The scene at Charleroi Airport, located near Brussels and catering to low-cost airlines, were identical, with all flights to and from Belgium were canceled on Monday.
This disruption has extended beyond the airports. In Brussels, only one of the four metro lines were functioning, while train services are operating at reduced frequencies. Additionally, only four out of the 13 tram lines and six of the 35 bus lines in Brussels were in service.
The local transport operator, STIB/MIVB, has recommended that passengers stay updated on the situation via social media and consider ‘alternative’ transportation options.
Public transportation throughout Belgium has experienced significant disruptions.
In Flanders, fewer than 50% of scheduled buses and trams are in operation. The national railway service is providing only a minimal service, as mandated by law, with less than half of the trains running.
Numerous schools are closed, and various public services are halted, including postal and waste collection services. Additionally, operations at the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge are partially affected.
Belgian seaports are also experiencing significant disruptions, with 30 ships awaiting entry or departure in Antwerp alone, and 11 more ships stranded in the North Sea.