On Friday, 9 October 2026, approximately 140 flights arriving and departing from Brussels Airport will be cancelled as staff from the ground handling company Alyzia take part in national strike action. The industrial action disrupts ground handling services that affect around half of the flights Alyzia services. Brussels Airport stated that some flights will operate normally but a significant number must be cancelled due to staff participation in the strike.
Affected Airlines and Routes
Brussels Airlines is among the carriers affected by the strike, with flights to and from London Heathrow and Manchester cancelled. Specific Brussels Airlines cancellations include the 4:55 p.m. flight to
Heathrow, the 10:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. flights to Manchester, and return flights from Manchester at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., plus an 8:00 p.m. departure from Heathrow. Other affected routes include flights connecting Brussels with Paris, Budapest, Madrid, and Chicago.
Unaffected Airlines and Ground Handling Operations
British Airways flights to and from Brussels Airport, including routes to Edinburgh, are not impacted by the strike due to the use of different ground handling providers. Low-cost carriers Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air also remain unaffected as they contract a different ground handler at Brussels Airport. Alyzia is responsible for ground handling services such as baggage processing, ramp
operations, aircraft de-icing, cleaning, and cargo transport for about 20 airlines at the airport.
Passenger Impact and Official Responses
Passengers flying on airlines relying on Alyzia’s ground handling services face cancellations that may disrupt travel plans, particularly on flights between Brussels and UK cities. Affected airlines are contacting their customers with updates and options for rebooking or refunds at no charge. Under European regulations, strike-related cancellations are considered “extraordinary circumstances,” which do not warrant passenger compensation. However, airlines must provide necessary assistance including food, drink, and accommodation if needed.
Brussels Airlines noted this strike is the third serious external disruption to its schedule this year.
An airline spokesperson 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.” The airline also highlighted the significant financial impact of the strike and the disruption to passenger plans.
Additional Strike Action Impacting Public Transport
On Monday, 11 October 2026, further strike action affecting public services across Belgium is planned. While air traffic at Brussels Airport is not expected to be impacted, public transport disruptions may cause delays for passengers traveling to and from the airport.
