The staff working for the air-navigation provider, Skeyes, took industrial action in Brussels Airport. Due to this sudden strike by air traffic controllers, Brussels Area Control Centre remained closed from 9.30 am local time to 1 pm. Several flights are cancelled and many have been delayed.
Brussels Airlines flights to Birmingham, Manchester and Heathrow are among dozens of cancelled departures, along with the inbound services. The British Airways 10 am departure from Heathrow to Brussels has been cancelled, as well as the corresponding inbound flight.
A statement on the airport’s website said “Industrial actions are taking place at Skeyes. As a consequence Brussels Area Control Centre will be closed between 9.30 and 13.00 local time. As a result, operations at Brussels Airport are severely impacted. Delays, late arrivals as well as cancellations remain possible throughout the whole day. Passengers whose flight is cancelled due to the industrial action are requested to contact their airline for more information. We kindly ask passengers whose flights are cancelled not to come to the airport.” It added: “We apologize for the inconvenience and will keep you informed on any updates.”
Social media images showed queues of people in the terminal. Most of them had to return how or detour.
British Airways cancelled the 8:20 am London Heathrow to Brussels and the 11:35 am Brussels to London Heathrow flights, with the 10:05 am flights from Brussels delayed to 1:13 pm.
Brussels Airline has also cancelled a number of flights from the U.K., with the 11:05 am from Birmingham and the 10:05 am from Manchester cancelled. The 11:05 am from London Heathrow is also cancelled.
Flights to the UK with Brussels Airline have also been affected, with the 9:00 am to Manchester, the 9:20 am to Birmingham and the 9:50 am to London Heathrow cancelled.
Brussels Airport will witness delays, late arrivals and cancellations throughout the whole day.
