Flights likely to be cancelled due to strikes in Belgium next week

Belgium-based Ryanair pilots will strike once again on 14 and 15 August.

A two-day walk out at Brussels South Charleroi Airport at the end of July caused the cancellation of nearly 100 flights. 

The industrial action began on 15-16 July when two trade unions – CNE and ACV Puls – and the pilots’ union Beca walked out over pay and working conditions.

The airport is located 45 minutes south of the Belgian capital.

It is currently unclear how many flights will be cancelled during the August strikes.

Why are pilots in Belgium going on strike?

Ryanair allegedly told pilots in Belgium that it wanted to cancel an agreement on working hours and rest. Pilots also agreed to take a 20 per cent pay cut at the start of the pandemic which is still in place.

The budget airline was given until 14 July to present a serious proposal to solve these issues. After it failed to do so, strike action was announced.

“We apologise in advance to passengers planning to travel with Ryanair between now and October 2024 who may be affected by these strikes,” the unions said in a press release.

“But we can no longer allow Ryanair to violate the basic principles of Belgian social dialogue.”

Which flights will be affected by Belgian strikes?

More than 80 per cent of Ryanair’s pilots took part in the 15-16 July strikes, leading to 120 flight cancellations at Charleroi Airport. During the second round of strikes on 29-30 July, almost 100 flights were cancelled.

Flights to Bosnia, Croatia, France, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden were affected.

It is so far unclear which flights will be affected by the strikes on 14-15 August but Brussels Charleroi airport recommends that passengers travelling on these dates check their flight status before travelling and contact Ryanair.

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It advises that passengers will be notified by text or email within 48 hours of departure if their flight is cancelled.

Further strikes could be announced until the COVID-19 agreement expires in October.

Ryanair flights that operate with crews based outside of Belgium will take place as usual. 

Summer flights could also be heavily impacted if staff at one of Europe’s air traffic control (ATC) centres go ahead with strikes. No specific dates have been confirmed but strikes could begin with just five days notice.

Here are more updates on strikes happening across Europe.