Around 140 flights to and from Brussels Airport have been cancelled as staff from ground handler Alyzia are expected to take part in a national manifestation on Friday, October 9. The disruption affects thousands of passengers, including those travelling to and from London and Manchester.
Half of Alyzia-handled flights affected
A statement on the airport's website reads: "On Friday 9 October there is a national manifestation. Part of the staff from ground handler Alyzia is expected to take part in this action. Based on the current information approximately half of the flights handled by Alyzia is expected to operate as planned. Unfortunately, a number of flights will have to be cancelled."
Affected routes include services to and from the UK, with flights to and from London and Manchester impacted. The Brussels Airlines 4.55pm to Heathrow, 10am and 9.30pm to Manchester, 8.30am and 1.30pm from Manchester, and 8pm from Heathrow are all currently cancelled.
Other destinations and airline response
Other destinations affected by the cancellations include Paris, Budapest, Madrid and Chicago. All flights operated by British Airways on October 9 to and from Brussels Airport were said to still be running as normal at the time of writing, and flights to and from Edinburgh are unaffected.
Passengers have been advised that airlines working with Alyzia will contact them directly to inform them "about the status of their flight and their options". Ground handling companies are responsible for baggage handling, ramp operations, de-icing, cleaning aircraft and cargo transport.
Financial impact and upcoming union action
The airport's website adds: "We regret the inconvenience caused by this union action." Brussels Airlines has highlighted that its workers are not involved in the industrial action on Friday, The Brussels Times reports. The airline said: "We regret that this is already the third time this year that our flight schedule has been seriously disrupted by industrial action taken by external parties. This action is disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers and is having a significant financial impact on Brussels Airlines."
Trade union action across public services is also expected on Monday, October 12, in Belgium, but Brussels Airport says this will not have an impact on air traffic. Public transport, however, will be disrupted, potentially delaying people's journeys to and from the airport.
