British, Air Canada, Ryanair, Austrian, Lufthansa, Air France, ANA, KLM, and Swiss Affected as Brussels Airport Cancels All Departing Flights for Tomorrow Due to Nationwide Strike: New Travel Updates You Need to Know – Travel And Tour World

Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Travelers flying with British Airways, Air Canada, Ryanair, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, ANA, KLM, and Swiss should prepare for major disruptions as Brussels Airport has announced the cancellation of all departing flights on February 13 due to a nationwide strike. The strike is expected to significantly impact key airport services, including security screening and ground handling, making it impossible for outbound flights to operate.
While arriving flights will continue as scheduled, passengers with connecting flights from Brussels should check with their airlines for alternative travel options. Airlines are working on rebooking and refund policies, but with thousands of travelers affected, delays and limited availability are expected. Public transport across Belgium may also face disruptions, further complicating travel plans.
If you’re flying from Brussels Airport tomorrow, do not head to the airport unless your airline has confirmed an alternative flight. Keep checking for updates and explore backup travel options as the strike is set to cause widespread disruptions across the country.

Why Are Flights Being Canceled?

The nationwide strike will heavily affect key airport functions, making it impossible for departing flights to operate. Security screening will be closed, and with no staff available for baggage handling and aircraft services, Brussels Airport has no choice but to halt all outbound flights for the day.

What This Means for Travelers

All departing flights from Brussels Airport on February 13 are canceled. Passengers scheduled to fly out on this date should contact their airlines for rebooking or refund options.
Flights arriving at Brussels Airport will continue as scheduled, but transit passengers with connecting flights from Brussels will need to make alternative arrangements.
With Brussels Airport serving an average of 60,000 passengers per day, thousands of travelers will be affected by the cancellations.

Which Airlines Are Affected?

Passengers flying with the following airlines will need to check with their carrier for updates:
Brussels Airlines, Ryanair, TUI fly Belgium, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Iberia, Vueling, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, and all other carriers operating from Brussels Airport.

Passenger Growth and Flight Trends at Brussels Airport

In December 2023, Brussels Airport handled 1,773,930 passengers, representing an 11% growth compared to December 2022. The strong start to the Christmas holiday period contributed to this increase, with a surge in departing travelers.
The top 10 destination countries in December were Spain, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, Morocco, Switzerland, France, Turkey, and Portugal.
In 2024, Brussels Airport has served 23,610,856 passengers, marking a 6.4% growth compared to the previous year.
Last year, the airport expanded its passenger network with 10 new destinations and welcomed five new airlines, further increasing options for both direct and connecting flights.
New long-haul destinations added in 2023 include:

Brussels Airlines launched flights to Nairobi
Singapore Airlines resumed services to Singapore
Thai Airways restarted flights to Bangkok
TUI fly Belgium introduced flights to Curaçao
Hainan Airlines and Juneyao Air launched daily direct flights to Shanghai, China

New short-haul routes added in 2023 include:

Brussels Airlines – Krakow
Widerøe – Bergen
Corendon Airlines – Gazipaşa
Transavia – Bari
Norwegian – Tromsø

The total number of flight movements at Brussels Airport increased by 3% in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching 198,617 flight movements. Passenger flights specifically increased by 4%, with an average of 144 passengers per flight, up from 141 in 2023. This growth is attributed to larger aircraft and increased load factors.
In December 2023, there were 15,609 flight movements, an 8% increase compared to December 2022. The number of passenger flights grew by 8%, with an average of 139 passengers per flight. Cargo flights also saw a 14% increase in December compared to the previous year.

What Should Affected Passengers Do?

Passengers whose flights are affected should not travel to the airport unless they have received direct confirmation of alternative arrangements. Airlines are actively working on rebooking, but delays are expected due to the high number of affected travelers.
Travelers should monitor their email and airline notifications for updates on rebooking and refund options.
Those with urgent travel plans should consider alternative routes, such as flights from Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle, or Düsseldorf Airport, though availability may be limited due to increased demand.

Impact on Public Transport and Travel Services

The nationwide strike is expected to affect public transport across Belgium, including train and bus services. Travelers should check for updates from Belgian rail and local transport providers before planning alternative travel routes.

How to Stay Updated

Passengers should follow Brussels Airport and their airline on social media and official websites for real-time updates.
Those with travel insurance should check their policies to see if they are eligible for compensation due to strike-related disruptions.
With over 60,000 passengers affected, this nationwide strike will cause significant travel disruptions across Belgium. Passengers should act quickly, stay informed, and explore alternative travel options where possible.

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Tags: Air Canada, Air France, ANA, Austrian, British, brussels airport, Flight Cancelled, klm, lufthansa, nationwide strike, Ryanair, SWISS, travel alert, travel industry, Travel News