Belgian General Strike Grounds Flights, Disrupts Transport Nationwide

Belgium experienced widespread disruption as a nationwide strike led by major trade unions forced the cancellation of all departing flights from Brussels and Charleroi airports, with many arriving flights also affected. The walkout, protesting the right-wing government's proposed pension reforms, unemployment benefit limits, and public sector budget cuts, also severely impacted train travel, local transport, maritime traffic, and essential services like waste collection and hospitals. The strike was prompted by an expected shortage of security staff and the inability of service providers to ensure passenger screening, necessitating the cancellation of passenger flights for safety and logistical reasons. Airlines were allowed to ferry planes for operational purposes, but normal passenger operations were halted. The action coincided with the scheduled presentation of the government's 2025 budget plans, underscoring the unions' opposition to austerity measures. The disruption affected tens of thousands of passengers and caused broader logistical challenges throughout the country.