October 9, 2026 — Update to our October 8 story. Friday’s national day of action cancelled 107 flights at Brussels Airport and cut Brussels transit to a skeleton network. Next is a rail strike from 10 pm Sunday, October 11, through the last train on Monday, October 12. One union federation is also threatening a general strike in the week of November 23.
What happened Friday, October 9
- Brussels Airport: 107 flights were cancelled and about 400 operated, Belga reports. The forecast had been 140. The cause was short staffing at ground handler Alyzia.
- Charleroi Airport: Kept all flights Friday, La Libre reports.
- Brussels transit (STIB-MIVB): Only metro lines 1 and 5, six tram lines and eleven bus lines ran, at reduced frequency. Gare du Midi metro station was closed.
- Flanders (De Lijn): About 40% of buses and trams did not run, VRT reports.
- Wallonia (LeTec): Disrupted, worst around Charleroi and Liège-Verviers.
- Trains: SNCB ran normally Friday.
- The march: Police used tear gas and water cannon in Brussels and made arrests.
What comes next
| Date | Action | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Oct 11, 10 pm – Mon Oct 12, last train | Rail strike by ACOD/CGSP | Fewer SNCB trains. The reduced timetable appears in the journey planner 24 hours ahead. Share of trains running: TBA. |
| Mon Oct 12 | Public-service strike by CGSP/ACOD | STIB says disruption is possible. De Lijn plans an alternative service. LeTec may be disrupted. |
| Mon Oct 12 | Airports | Brussels Airport expects no direct flight impact. Charleroi plans to keep all flights. |
| Week of Nov 23 | General strike threatened by FGTB | Conditional on wage-indexation or VAT changes. No date set. |
International trains Monday
- Eurostar and TGV services were planned to run Monday, Treinenweb reports.
- Fewer EuroCity and EuroCity Direct trains will run to the Netherlands. Tickets are also valid October 11 or 13.
What it means for airline travelers
- The Brussels Airport train is the weak link Monday. Check the SNCB planner on Sunday, and have a taxi or bus fallback.
- Arriving late Sunday? Trains thin out from 10 pm.
- Flights should run Monday, but getting to the airport may take longer. Leave early for a standby listing.
- Check your train before you go. SNCB publishes the strike timetable a day ahead.
- Avoid protest areas in central Brussels. Friday’s march ended in clashes.
Sources
- STIB-MIVB: National strike
- SNCB/NMBS: Staking: alle info bij zware hinder
- L’Avenir/Belga: Manifestation nationale du 9 octobre: plus d’une centaine de vols supprimés à Brussels Airport
- La Libre: Direct grève nationale: voici les perturbations à prévoir ce vendredi
- VRT NWS: Vakbonden organiseren actiedag: hier kan je hinder verwachten
- RTBF: Manifestation et grève les 9 et 12 octobre: quelles perturbations dans les transports et les services publics
- Treinenweb: Spoorverkeer en gedeeltelijk ov in België verstoord door staking op 12 oktober
- Brussels Morning: Brussels strike: severe transport disruption
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