On Friday, October 9, 2026, approximately 140 flights at Brussels Airport will be cancelled due to a strike by ground handling staff from Alyzia. The industrial action disrupts flights operated by Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Air Arabia, and United Airlines, notably affecting routes to and from the United Kingdom and other European and US destinations.
Specific Flight Cancellations and Exemptions
Brussels Airlines has cancelled its flights to Heathrow scheduled for 16:55, and to Manchester at 10:00 and 21:30. Return flights from Manchester at 08:30 and 13:30, as well as the 20:00 flight from Heathrow, are also cancelled. Other routes affected include flights to and from
Paris, Budapest, Madrid, and Chicago. British Airways flights at Brussels Airport, including those to and from Edinburgh, are operating normally on October 9. Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air flights remain unaffected, as their ground handling services are provided by a different company.
Strike Impact and Airline Responses
The strike involves Alyzia staff who handle baggage processing, ramp operations, aircraft de-icing, cleaning, and cargo transport for about 20 airlines at Brussels Airport. Alyzia’s participation in the national strike has led to the cancellation of roughly half of the flights it normally handles. Brussels Airlines clarified that its own employees are not participating in the strike. The
airline expressed regret that this is the third major disruption to its schedule this year caused by external industrial action. Brussels Airlines acknowledged that the strike affects thousands of passengers and poses a significant financial impact.
Flights cancelled due to this strike are classified as resulting from “extraordinary circumstances,” which means passengers are not eligible for financial compensation. However, airlines using Alyzia’s services are obliged to offer affected passengers rebooking or refunds without charge and to provide food, drinks, and accommodation when necessary. These airlines will contact passengers directly regarding flight status and available options.
Background and Additional Disruptions
Alyzia is responsible for key
ground operations at Brussels Airport. The ground handling strike on October 9 coincides with wider national public service demonstrations across Belgium planned for Monday, October 12, 2026. While these forthcoming strikes will not affect air traffic, disruptions in public transport are anticipated and may delay passenger journeys to and from Brussels Airport.
Brussels Airport confirmed that approximately half of the flights handled by Alyzia are expected to operate as planned despite the strike. The airport also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and airlines as a result of the union action.
