Strike brings Brussels Airport to standstill

Baggage handlers and other airport personnel staged a walkout on Monday, bringing the Brussels International Airport to a standstill, according to airport officials.

Most all flights into and out of the Brussels airport, which sees almost all the international traffic in the country, were delayed, diverted to other airports or cancelled on Monday.

“Very few flights are leaving,” reported a spokesman for the airport, explaining that it was only Brussels Airlines that had managed to get any flights out.

Several flights that were due shortly after the walkout began were diverted to Amsterdam, Charleroi and Liege airports.

Passengers on flights scheduled throughout the day were being bussed to other airports, added the spokesman, who was not able to provide information on the number of flights that were affected.

More inconvenience was in store for some passengers who were on flights that landed – but were then unable to claim their bags. Other passengers who had checked in for their flights were not able to reclaim their checked bags.

Aviapartner and Flightcare union workers went on strike beginning late Sunday, protesting their working conditions, noted union representative Rik Vermeersch. He continued his comments, denouncing the employers’ “anti-social policy.”

Negotiations between union representatives and management are underway, with both sides seeking a solution that will end the walkout.

Approximately 25,000 passengers were due to depart from the Brussels Airport on Monday, with around the same number scheduled to arrive.

www.brusselsairport.be