Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport have confirmed that no passenger flights will depart on Thursday 13 February. A national strike is being organised by the joint trade union front on this day, causing major disruption.
A national trade union protest will be taking place in Brussels on Thursday, accompanied by nationwide strike action. Belgium’s largest airport in Zaventem had already announced it was expecting a significant impact on its operations because its handling agents and security personnel are participating in the strike en masse.
On Monday, however, Brussels Airport confirmed that no passenger flights will be departing at all. “To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, we have decided, in consultation with the airlines, not to operate any departing passenger flights on 13 February,” the airport noted in a statement.
“Airlines will contact passengers whose flights have been impacted. We ask passengers not to come to the airport on the day.” All passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline or via the Brussels Airport website or app.
On Tuesday, unions at Belgium’s air traffic controller, Skeyes, confirmed they were joining Thursday’s strike between 06:45 and 22:15. This means that the airspace up to an altitude of 7,500 metres will be closed. No aircraft flying at that altitude will be able to take off or land in Belgium, with the exception of humanitarian flights.
No flights from Charleroi
The national demonstration will also severely impact Brussels-South Airport in Charleroi.
“Due to the lack of staff present to ensure operations run safely, all flights scheduled to depart from Charleroi Airport have been cancelled. Only incoming Schengen flights will be operating,” the airport said in a statement.
Passengers who were due to fly from Charleroi on Thursday will be contacted by their airline for a new booking or refund. “Once again, we regret the impact of these actions on our passengers’ travel plans and apologise for the inconvenience.”
The airport had not taken any precautionary measures during the last strike on 13 January. However, it cancelled all flights from noon onwards due to the “major unforeseen shortages”.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
Consumer protection organisation Test Achats has reiterated the rights of passengers in response to these cancellations. A strike by airport personnel – as will be the case on Thursday – is considered a force majeure for the airlines. This means they can limit their liability.
“However, this does not mean that passengers have no rights. The airline must offer them either an alternative flight or, if that is unsuitable for the passenger, a refund of the ticket price,” said Test Achats spokesperson Laura Clays.
Additionally, airlines must offer assistance to travellers stranded abroad, including drinks and meals, transport and possibly a hotel stay until the next available flight.
“If the airline does not proactively offer meals and an overnight stay, for example in the form of a voucher, we advise passengers to keep proof of the costs incurred so that they can request a refund upon their return,” said Clays.
Because of the force majeure principle, passengers cannot demand additional compensation for any other damages they may have incurred, such as a missed overnight stay or car rental costs.
Source: The Brussels Times
