About 140 flights arriving and departing Brussels Airport were cancelled on Friday, October 9, 2026, due to a national strike by ground handling staff from Alyzia, the company responsible for baggage and ramp operations at the airport.
UK Routes Most Affected by Cancellations
Flights operated by Brussels Airlines on routes connecting Brussels Airport to London Heathrow and Manchester experienced multiple cancellations. Specifically, Brussels Airlines cancelled arrival flights from Heathrow at 16:55, and from Manchester at 10:00 and 21:30. Departures from Manchester at 08:30 and 13:30 and Heathrow at 20:00 were also cancelled. Other affected routes included flights to and from Paris, Budapest, Madrid, and Chicago. British
Airways flights to Brussels, including those to and from Edinburgh, were unaffected, as were flights by Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, which use a different ground handling provider.
Strike by Alyzia Staff Disrupts Operations
The strike involved employees of Alyzia, which provides baggage processing, ramp operations, aircraft de-icing, cleaning, and cargo transport services for roughly 20 airlines operating from Brussels Airport. Alyzia representatives said approximately half of the flights they handle were expected to operate normally despite the demonstration. The logistics disruption led to cancellations affecting a wide range of airlines including Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Air Arabia, and United Airlines.
Airlines’ Response and Passenger Rights
Brussels Airlines confirmed their own
staff were not involved in the strike and expressed regret that this marked the third time in 2026 their flight schedule was heavily disrupted by industrial action external to the airline. The airline noted the financial impact this had on their operations. Airlines employing Alyzia ground handling staff notified passengers directly about cancellations and provided options for rebooking or refunds. Due to flight cancellations being categorized as “extraordinary circumstances” under EU regulations, passengers are not entitled to compensation. However, affected passengers are entitled to assistance including food, drinks, and accommodation when necessary.
A statement from Brussels Airport said, “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. We regret the inconvenience caused by this union action.”
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.”
Additional strike action is planned on Monday, October 11, 2026, impacting Belgian public services. While this will not affect air traffic, public transport disruptions could delay passenger journeys to and from Brussels Airport on that day.
