Strike grounds flights at major Belgian airports Monday
This coming Monday, no planes will depart from Charleroi Airport in Belgium. Flights have been cancelled due to a strike, as labour unions are protesting against wage and pension reforms. Travellers will face significant disruptions.
- When and where? The strike will take place on Monday, 31st March, at Charleroi Airport, near Brussels.
- Why? Labour unions are protesting against the federal government's wage and pension reforms.
- Who is striking? Mainly employees responsible for baggage handling and security; it is unclear whether air traffic controllers will join.
Major disruptions at Brussels Airport
Labour unions in Belgium have declared a general strike in response to the government's plans regarding wage and pension reforms. "To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, we have decided, in consultation with the airlines, not to operate any departing passenger flight on March 31. The airlines will contact passengers whose flight has been impacted. We ask you not to come to the airport on that day," reported the Belgian media. The strike aims to protect the automatic indexation of wages and pensions and improve working conditions.
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Brussels Airport has also decided to cancel all departures to ensure the safety of passengers and staff and to avoid long queues. A total of 244 flights scheduled to depart from Brussels Zaventem Airport on Monday, 31st March, have been cancelled.
What changes is the government implementing?
The Belgian government has introduced a reform raising the retirement age from 65 to 66 years on 1st January, 2025, and then to 67 years by 2030. People born before 1st January, 1960, can still retire at 65. Among the issues the unions are fighting for are the protection of automatic wage and pension indexation and better working conditions.
