Belgium has been hit by nationwide strikes that have grounded flights and severely reduced train services, leaving tens of thousands of travelers facing major disruption. Transport unions launched a three-day general strike in late November to protest proposed austerity measures, including plans to raise the retirement age, which triggered mass walkouts by airport staff and rail workers.

The impact was immediate, with Belgium’s transportation network pushed close to a standstill as flights were cancelled at major airports, rail timetables cut to a fraction of normal service, and both commuters and tourists struggling to adjust their plans. With unions warning of more actions in December if negotiations fail to address their demands, travelers are preparing for continued instability during the holiday season.

TL;DR

  • Belgium’s late-November general strike halted flights and cut domestic rail service to around 20%, with major impacts on airports and public transit.
  • Brussels Airport cancelled all departures on 26 Nov, and over 200 flights were scrapped or diverted to Germany and the Netherlands.
  • Eurostar and Thalys reduced cross-border services, forcing rerouting for passengers traveling between Paris, London, Amsterdam and Cologne.
  • Local Brussels transport largely shut down, making airport access and commuting extremely difficult.
  • Belgium’s central location means disruptions ripple across Europe’s aviation and rail networks.
  • Unions warn of more strikes in December, raising concerns for Christmas travel.

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Strike Grounds Flights at Major Belgian Airports

Belgium’s two busiest airports – Brussels Airport (Zaventem) and Brussels South Charleroi – were effectively shut down by the strike’s final day. Brussels Airport cancelled all departing flights on 26 November, and even 110 of 203 incoming flights were scrapped due to lack of staff.

At Charleroi, officials announced they “will not be able to operate scheduled departures and arrivals” during the strike, leaving no flights running on 26 November. Airlines contacted affected passengers with rebooking and refund options, but the sudden shutdown still stranded many travelers.

In some cases, flights bound for Belgium had to divert to neighboring countries. Over 90 inbound flights were rerouted to airports in the Netherlands (Maastricht) and Germany (Düsseldorf) because ground handling crews were unavailable in Brussels.

These passengers faced long coach rides back to Belgium after clearing immigration abroad. The episode underscores how a one-day strike in Belgium can ripple across multiple countries’ aviation networks , stranding flyers far beyond Belgian borders.

Adding to the chaos, roadblocks and local transit stoppages made reaching the airports difficult for those with remaining flights. Brussels Airport urged airlines to file conservative schedules into mid-December amid ongoing pay negotiations with ground staff , signaling that flight options may remain limited even after the official strike ended. Hoteliers in Brussels noted a dip in bookings as business travelers postponed trips until the situation stabilizes.

The nationwide strike also paralysed Belgium’s rail network, including both domestic trains and international lines. The state rail operator SNCB was only able to run about 20% of its usual trains during the 72-hour rail strike from 23 to 26 November.

Most metro, tram and bus lines in Brussels were halted, forcing commuters to find alternative transport or stay home. The timing was especially tough for travelers: the walkout began Sunday night and lasted through Wednesday, spanning three full workdays.

International train services saw widespread cancellations and delays as well. Eurostar and Thalys routes that connect Belgium with France, the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany were sharply reduced. Only half of Eurostar trains between Brussels and Paris ran during the strike, and as few as 20% of trains on the Brussels–Liège–Germany corridor operated.

Even the busy Brussels-Amsterdam line was heavily affected, though about three-quarters of those trains (and of Amsterdam-London Eurostar trains) still went ahead. Crucially for UK travelers, Eurostar kept London-Paris and London-Lille trains running on schedule, as those routes bypass Belgium.

Eurostar notified customers of cancellations and allowed fee-free rebooking; it also maintained a live info page so passengers could monitor which cross-border trains were still running.

Rail operators urged anyone traveling in or via Belgium to plan for significant delays and check journey planners frequently. Those with connecting itineraries were advised to allow extra time or seek alternate routes, since local Belgian trains and public transport were unreliable during the strike. In practice, many international passengers had to reroute through different countries or switch to buses and cars to reach their destinations.

Why Belgium’s Strikes Matter for European Travellers

Belgium’s strategic location at the heart of Western Europe means its transport strikes have an outsized impact on regional travel. Brussels Airport is a major hub for flights linking Europe with the rest of the world, and it also serves as an important transfer point for flights between neighboring countries.

When this hub went down, it disrupted not only trips to Belgium but also connections for travelers passing between, say, France and Scandinavia or between the UK and Italy, that would normally transfer in Brussels. The sudden cancellations forced airlines to scramble – rerouting flights to secondary airports and leaving passengers to sort out onward travel from unfamiliar cities.

Similarly, Belgium’s rail lines are a crossroads for international train travel. High-speed trains like Eurostar and Thalys pass through Brussels to connect London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne. A strike in Belgium can sever these links or greatly reduce capacity.

For example, the London-Brussels Eurostar is often used by travelers continuing to Germany or the Netherlands, so its cancellation creates a domino effect for itineraries across borders. Even routes that technically avoid Belgium felt the strain, as more passengers crowded onto alternate services (like London-Paris or Paris-Amsterdam trains) once the Belgian network went down.

The late-November strike also serves as a warning for December travel. Belgian union leaders have hinted at further “rolling actions” in the coming weeks if the government doesn’t compromise on pension and labor reforms.

This means sporadic walkouts could continue to flare up with little notice, potentially disrupting flights or trains during the busy holiday period. Travelers transiting through Belgium or planning visits to Brussels’ popular winter markets need to stay alert: even a one-day protest can ripple across multiple countries’ transport systems, as the November action showed.

FAQ

Q1. Why did Belgium experience nationwide transport strikes?
Unions launched a three-day strike to protest proposed austerity measures, including raising the retirement age and changing labor protections.

Q2. How badly were Belgian airports affected?
Brussels Airport cancelled all departures on 26 November and most arrivals, while Charleroi Airport ceased operations entirely for the day.

Q3. Were flights diverted to other countries?
Yes. More than 90 inbound flights were diverted to airports in Germany and the Netherlands because ground handling staff were unavailable in Belgium.

Q4. How did the strike affect rail services?
The SNCB operated only about 20 percent of trains during the strike, and most metro, tram, and bus systems were halted.

Q5. Did Eurostar and Thalys cancel services?
Yes. Many cross-border trains were cancelled or reduced, although Eurostar maintained its London to Paris and London to Lille routes.

Q6. Could travelers access Belgian airports during the strike?
Access was difficult due to roadblocks and halted local transit, causing significant delays even for remaining flights or diversions.

Q7. Why do Belgian strikes impact so many European travelers?
Belgium is a major rail and aviation hub. Disruptions in Brussels ripple across routes connecting the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and beyond.

Q8. Will more strikes occur in December?
Unions have warned of additional rolling actions if negotiations fail, raising concerns for holiday travel.

Q9. What should travelers do if transiting through Belgium soon?
Monitor airline and rail updates closely, build in extra connection time, and consider rerouting through alternate hubs such as Paris or Amsterdam.

Q10. Can affected passengers get refunds or rebooking?
Yes. Airlines and rail operators offered rebooking or refunds for cancelled services, and many allowed fee-free changes during the strike period.