Belgium’s three largest trade unions have called a 24-hour nationwide strike for Tuesday, 12 May 2026, forcing Brussels Airport to cancel roughly half of its 650 scheduled departures and putting around 60,000 passengers at risk of disruption.
Both Brussels Airports Affected
Brussels Airport (BRU) has instructed airlines to cancel approximately 325 departures for the day. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) faces similarly severe disruption and could see a complete shutdown, based on the precedent set during the March 2026 national strike.
Arriving flights may also be affected if runway or baggage-handling capacity becomes constrained. Public transport links to both airports will operate on reduced or suspended services, meaning even passengers on flights that do operate may struggle to reach the terminals.
Major Carriers Issue Travel Waivers
Brussels Airlines, the dominant carrier at BRU and a Lufthansa Group member, is expected to cancel the majority of its departures, as it did during the March 2026 event. Lufthansa Group has indicated it will issue a group-level waiver covering passengers on Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines services, allowing fee-free rebooking to alternative dates around 12 May.
United Airlines has already activated a travel alert, offering flexible rebooking for flights on 11 and 12 May with change fees and fare differences waived for tickets purchased on or before 4 May 2026. Ryanair and easyJet are also expected to publish waivers in the coming hours.
Passenger Rights Under EU Regulation 261/2004
Passengers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to a full refund of their unused ticket or free rebooking to their destination on an alternative date. Airlines are also required to provide care and assistance during delays, including meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary.
However, cash compensation of between 250 and 600 euros per passenger is unlikely to apply. Strikes involving airport staff, security screeners and air-traffic controllers are generally classified as extraordinary circumstances outside the airline’s control, which exempts carriers from the compensation obligation under EU law. The right to a refund or rebooking remains absolute regardless of the cause of cancellation.
Ninth Disruption Since January 2025
The 12 May action is the ninth instance of union-led industrial action to disrupt Brussels Airport since the start of 2025. Previous general strikes in November 2025 and March 2026 resulted in complete departure shutdowns, costing airlines an estimated 36 million euros in compensation and diversions.
Brussels Airport said it is working with all relevant partners to ensure that as many flights as possible can operate on the day. The airport has also asked airlines to stagger check-in windows and is coordinating with federal police to deploy additional e-gates to manage flow through non-Schengen border controls, where processing times have lengthened since the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System.
What Passengers Should Do Now
Travellers with flights to or from Brussels on 12 May are advised to check their booking directly with their airline and monitor official airline apps and the Brussels Airport website for real-time updates. Airlines are contacting affected passengers to offer rebooking options, and travellers are urged to act promptly as alternative flights around the strike date are filling quickly.
For those unable to rebook through Brussels, alternative routing via Amsterdam Schiphol, approximately two hours from Brussels by train, Paris Charles de Gaulle or Frankfurt is recommended by aviation advisers. Train and coach services between Brussels and neighbouring cities may also be considered for shorter routes, though some cross-border rail services are expected to be affected by the wider national action.
