Second air traffic controllers strike in one day grounds flights at Belgian airports; passengers urged not to come to the airport

Belgian air traffic controllers have launched a second industrial action on Tuesday, June 2nd, disrupting flight operations at airports across the country just hours after a spontaneous overnight strike had already affected air traffic. According to a network operations message issued by Eurocontrol, air traffic control services at several Belgian airports will be unavailable for significant periods during the afternoon and evening due to industrial action by skeyes personnel.

The disruption affects Belgium’s major airports, including Brussels Airport, Antwerp Airport, Charleroi Airport, Liège Airport and Ostend-Bruges Airport.

At Brussels Airport, approach and tower services are unavailable between 12:15 UTC and 19:00 UTC (14:15 to 21:00 local time). Similar restrictions apply at Charleroi, Liège and Ostend-Bruges airports, while Antwerp Airport is affected between 15:00 UTC and 19:00 UTC.

In addition, the Brussels Terminal Manoeuvring Area (TMA), which covers a large portion of Belgian airspace up to flight level 75, is being regulated with a zero traffic rate during the strike period.

As a result, airlines are expected to face significant operational challenges, with delays, cancellations and diversions likely throughout the afternoon and evening. The precise impact remains unclear, however, as airlines continue to assess their schedules and possible contingency measures.

Eurocontrol has also implemented European air traffic flow restrictions to manage flights that would normally transit Belgian airspace. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is reportedly unavailable as an alternate airport for affected operations during the disruption.

The latest industrial action follows an earlier spontaneous strike by skeyes air traffic controllers between 02:30 and 07:00 local time on Tuesday morning. That walkout disrupted operations across Belgium and led to delays, diversions and cancellations at several airports.

The labour dispute centres on arrangements related to skeyes’ new digital control centre in Namur. Trade unions have expressed dissatisfaction with agreements concerning the project, prompting the industrial action.

At the time of publication, neither skeyes nor Belgium’s major airports had released detailed estimates regarding the number of flights likely to be affected by the second strike. Passengers travelling to or from Belgian airports on Tuesday are advised to check the status of their flights directly with their airline before heading to the airport.

Brussels Airport announced that around 200 flights have been cancelled thus far. Passengers, who will be contacted by their airline of travel, are requested not to come to the airport between 14:00 and 21:00 (update 15:12)

Brussels Airlines sees a major impact on its flight schedules, and announces to do everything possible to find solutions for its passengers.

Passengers travelling through Charleroi Airport, are requested to contact their airline for a refund or a rebooking. Passengers departing after 21:00 are requested to check their flight status on the official airline website. Charleroi Airport regrets the impact of the strike and will do everything possible to recover as soon as possible. (update 15:15)

Further updates are expected as the situation develops.