Approximately 140 flights arriving at and departing from Brussels Airport were canceled on Friday, 9 October 2026, following a national protest involving staff from ground handling company Alyzia.
Several Brussels Airlines flights between Brussels and the United Kingdom were affected. Cancelled departures and arrivals included flights to London Heathrow at 4:55pm and 8:00pm, Manchester departures at 8:30am and 1:30pm, and Manchester arrivals at 10:00am and 9:30pm.
Other routes with disruptions included Brussels flights to and from Paris, Budapest, Madrid, and Chicago. British Airways flights to Brussels and services to and from Edinburgh were unaffected. Low-cost carriers Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz
Air also maintained normal operations, as they contract different ground handlers at Brussels Airport.
Ground Handling and Strike Details
Alyzia is responsible for ground operations such as baggage handling, ramp services, de-icing, aircraft cleaning, and cargo transport for around 20 airlines at Brussels Airport. Part of Alyzia’s workforce took part in the strike on 9 October, prompting the cancellations. Brussels Airlines confirmed their own employees were not involved in the industrial action.
The strike marked the third significant disruption to Brussels Airlines’ schedule in 2026 caused by protests from external parties rather than the airline’s staff.
Passenger Impact and Official Responses
Passengers affected by cancellations were to be rebooked or
refunded without charge. Airlines associated with Alyzia were responsible for contacting travelers with updated information. Food, drink, and accommodation were to be provided if necessary during delays or overnight stays resulting from cancellations.
Brussels Airport issued a statement expressing regret over the inconvenience caused by the union action but noted that roughly half the flights handled by Alyzia were still expected to operate.
A Brussels Airlines representative 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,” acknowledging the financial impact and disruption
to thousands of passengers.
Legal and Transportation Context
Flight cancellations due to strike action are categorized as extraordinary circumstances, exempting airlines from paying compensation to passengers. However, rebooking, refunds, and passenger care remain obligatory.
An additional strike affecting Belgian public services was scheduled for the following Monday but was not expected to impact air traffic. Public transport disruptions on that day could delay passenger journeys to and from Brussels Airport.
