Wildcat strike of handling agent Aviapartner disrupts air traffic at Brussels Airport

The wildcat strike that started this morning (6:00 AM) at handling agent Aviapartner is seriously disrupting travel plans of thousands of passengers that want to travel via Brussels Airport, Belgium. Passengers that boarded the aircraft were forced to leave the aircraft again. Most likely, the disruptions on air traffic will last throughout the day. 

“Part of the workers at ramp handler Aviapartner have started spontaneous actions this morning. As a result, baggage handling & operations will be delayed. We do everything in our power to limit the impact of this action & apologize for any inconvenience,” Brussels Airport informed on social media.

Advice to the passengers:

• Check here whether your flight is handled by Aviapartner on https://brusselsairport.be/en/lostbaggage
• Contact your airline should your baggage be missing on arrival

Union representative Kurt Callaerts (ACV) told Belgian daily newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws: “Nearly all Aviapartner employees spontaneously stopped working this morning. There is great discontent among staff due to lack of staff.”

“Indeed, air traffic has picked up again after the corona pandemic. For a long time now, we are asking for additional staff and better working conditions. Enough is enough.”

Aviapartner handles around 50% of all flights at Brussels Airport including Ryanair and Tui Fly Belgium.

Brussels Airlines is handled by Alyzia.