Approximately 140 flights at Brussels Airport were cancelled on Friday, October 9, 2026, due to a national strike involving part of the ground handling staff from Alyzia. The strike affected baggage handling, ramp operations, de-icing, aircraft cleaning, and cargo transport services for about 20 airlines served by Alyzia.
Cancelled and Unaffected Flights at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airlines cancelled multiple flights including departures to London Heathrow at 4:55 pm, to Manchester at 10:00 am and 9:30 pm, as well as arrivals from Manchester at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm, and from Heathrow at 8:00 pm. Flights to and from Paris, Budapest, Madrid, and Chicago were also impacted. British
Airways flights and services to and from Edinburgh were unaffected and operated normally throughout the day.
Ground Handling Responsibilities Determine Flight Status
Alyzia provides ground handling for approximately 20 airlines at Brussels Airport, including Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Air Arabia, and United Airlines. Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air flights were not impacted by the strike because they use a different ground handling provider. Brussels Airlines staff themselves were not involved in the strike action.
Official Response and Passenger Impact
Brussels Airport acknowledged that roughly half of Alyzia-handled flights would operate as planned, with the remainder cancelled due to the strike. Brussels Airlines expressed regret for this being the third major disruption
in 2026 caused by industrial action involving external parties and noted the significant financial effects and travel interruptions. The airline 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.”
Passengers affected by cancellations on these flights are entitled to rebooking or refunds without charge, along with food, drink, and accommodation if needed. Airlines using Alyzia are contacting customers directly with updates and options. Flight cancellations related to the strike fall under extraordinary circumstances, meaning passengers are not eligible for compensation payouts.
Public
service strikes expected across Belgium on Monday will not impact air traffic at Brussels Airport. However, disruptions to public transport on that day could delay passenger journeys to and from the airport.
