National strike on 13 February in Belgium: air traffic disallowed in Belgian airspace (below 24,500 feet)

skeyes, responsible for controlling the civil airspace from ground to 24,500 feet (about 7,500 metres) above Belgium and for the space between 14,500 and 24,500 feet above Luxembourg is forced to disallow air traffic between Tuesday 12 February 22:00 (UTC +1) and Wednesday 13 February 22:00.

Yesterday, skeyes announced to limit air traffic to 50% of capacity but the company is uncertain about the number of staff in a limited number of key posts, skeyes’ employees do not have to declare their intentions to work or not during trade union actions in advance.

“Despite all the efforts made by the skeyes management, six hours before the start of the national strike, the company does not have sufficient insight into the staffing levels during the industrial action that will start tonight,” skeyes said in a statement.

“The management takes its responsibility to guarantee the safety of air traffic. In view of the great uncertainty about the occupation of some crucial posts in the operational services, this guarantee can only be given by not allowing air traffic,” skeyes explains.

Yesterday, Charleroi Brussels South Airport already decided to close, forcing Ryanair to cancel a number of flights and divert 12 flights to alternative airports surrounding Brussels and Charleroi (*). Earlier, Brussels Airlines cancelled 220 flights. Tomorrow, TUI fly Belgium will divert flights to Dutch and French airports.

(*) how exactly Ryanair didn’t mention.