Airports, public transport disrupted in Belgium due to general strike
A general strike held today, October 14th, in Belgium has caused the suspension of flights at the country's two main airports and disrupted public transport in Brussels, Reuters reports
The strike was the latest in a series of protests in 2025 against the government’s proposals to reform pension payment systems and the labour market.
As informed by an airport representative, all flights due to depart from Brussels International Airport, as well as about half of those scheduled to land, were cancelled as employees from the security company providing X-ray screening walked out.
All flights were cancelled at the country's second largest airport, in Charleroi, 60km south of Brussels.
Thousands of people arrived at Brussels’ Gare du Nord train station to join the demonstration.
Public transport operator STIB reported on the social network X that most of the Brussels metro, bus and tram lines were closed due to the strike. Police said today’s morning traffic in the city was hampered by fires set on some big boulevards. Local media reported that police arrested several protesters.
The strikers, led by the country's main trade unions and supported by activist groups such as Greenpeace and Oxfam, are opposing the ruling federal coalition led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, which announced a series of reforms aimed at cutting government spending.
