Brussels Airport will cancel approximately 140 flights on Friday, 9 October 2026, due to a national strike involving ground handling personnel from Alyzia. Alyzia staff participate in the strike, disrupting services such as baggage handling, ramp operations, de-icing, aircraft cleaning, and cargo transport for about 20 airlines at the airport.
Airlines and Routes Impacted by Strike
Flight cancellations affect Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Air Arabia, and United Airlines. Specific Brussels Airlines flight cancellations include departures to London Heathrow at 4:55 p.m. and Manchester at 10:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., as well as arrivals from Manchester at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and from Heathrow at 8:00
p.m. Other cities with impacted flights include Paris, Budapest, Madrid, and Chicago. Around half the flights handled by Alyzia are expected to operate as scheduled.
Airlines with Unaffected Flights
British Airways flights to and from Brussels Airport will operate normally on the strike day. Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air flights are also unaffected due to their use of different ground handling providers. Brussels Airlines confirmed that its own staff are not participating in the strike.
Official Statements and Passenger Rights
Brussels Airport announced the strike and expected cancellations on its website, confirming Alyzia staff participation in the national demonstration. Brussels Airlines stated, “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,” noting significant financial consequences and travel plan disruptions. Airlines affected by the strike will contact passengers to provide updated flight information and options.
Flight cancellations due to the strike are legally considered extraordinary circumstances, which exclude passenger entitlement to compensation. However, airlines must offer free rebooking or refunds and provide meals, refreshments, or accommodation as necessary. Alyzia handles ground operations for approximately 20 airlines at Brussels Airport.
Additional strike actions in Belgium on Monday are expected to disrupt public transport but
will not affect air traffic at Brussels Airport.
