BRUSSELS, Oct. 9, 2026 — Update to our October 7 story. The ground handler walkout at Brussels Airport (BRU) is under way today. The airport’s own count, reported by The Independent, is about 100 cancelled flights with about 400 still operating, which is lower than the 140 forecast earlier in the week. A second national action follows on Monday, October 12, and the airport expects it to hit trains and buses but not flights.
What changed since October 7
- Strike day numbers: The Independent reports the airport put Friday’s cancellations at about 100, with about 400 flights expected to run. Travel Extra, publishing on Friday morning, still reported about 140. The final count: TBA.
- United and Emirates are on the affected side. Both are among the 21 airlines handled by Alyzia, the company whose staff walked out, Travel Extra reports. Brussels Airlines, Alyzia’s biggest customer, cut close to 40% of its Friday flights.
- About half of Alyzia’s flights are operating. Five rotations to and from Dublin are not affected.
- Aviapartner flights are running normally. That covers British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI and Wizz Air, The Independent reports, and Aer Lingus, Air Canada and Air Transat, according to AeroCorner.
- Security screening: no strike action affecting screening was notified, Aviation24.be reports.
- Getting to the airport: Brussels transit operator STIB expected major disruption to metro, tram and bus services on Friday because of the strike and the protest march.
What comes next
| Date | Action | Expected effect at BRU |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 9 | National strike and demonstration; Alyzia staff walk out | About 100 to 140 flights cancelled |
| Saturday, October 10 | No action announced | Knock-on effects: TBA |
| Monday, October 12 | Second union action across public services | No flight impact expected; train, bus and metro disruption likely |
| Week of November 23 | Possible general strike; the FGTB union says it has a mandate to call one | TBA |
What it means for non-revs
- Today, your handler decides your odds. Standby on Brussels Airlines, United or Emirates is a long shot, since about half of Alyzia’s flights are gone and the rest are taking rebooked passengers. Airlines handled by Aviapartner are flying a normal schedule.
- Saturday and Sunday will be tight on Brussels Airlines and United. Passengers from about 100 cancelled flights have to be moved first.
- Check bags with care. Alyzia handles baggage, and a half-staffed ramp raises the risk of a bag missing the flight. Carry on if you can.
- Allow extra time to reach the airport on Monday, October 12. Flights should run, but public transport may not.
- Consider routing around BRU through Sunday. Amsterdam, Paris, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt are all within train or driving distance, but check Belgian rail before relying on a train on a strike day.
- Keep November 23 in mind if you are planning Brussels travel for US Thanksgiving week. No strike has been called yet.
Sources
- inkl (The Independent): 100 flights cancelled at Brussels airport as ground handlers take part in national strike
- Travel Extra: Brussels airport sees 140 flights grounded due to national strike
- Rus Tourism News: Brussels Airport Strike Cancels Flights Today as Ground Handlers Walk Out
- AeroCorner: Brussels Airport Strike Oct 9: Flights Cut
- Aviation24.be: Brussels Airport expects around 140 flight cancellations on Friday, 9 October
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