Brussels Airlines and United Cancel 10 Flights Amid Belgium Strike

(BRUSSELS, BELGIUM) A sweeping national strike in Belgium on October 14, 2025 forced Brussels Airport to halt all departures and cancel many arrivals, prompting Brussels Airlines and United Airlines to scrub at least 10 flights and stranding passengers in Brussels, Kigali, Nairobi, Bujumbura, Entebbe, and several other cities. Airport security and key operational staff joined strike actions and large demonstrations, making normal airport operations impossible for the day.

Airlines across the Lufthansa Group reported cascading disruptions as aircraft, crews, and baggage could not move through the hub. Brussels Airport said the strike left it unable to provide basic services for departing flights, including security screening. With all departures canceled and many inbound flights diverted or canceled, travelers faced missed connections, extended waits, and sudden overnight stays.

The scale of the stoppage rippled through the network, hitting long-haul links in Africa where Brussels Airlines maintains important routes and where onward travel options can be limited.

Airline responses and passenger options

Brussels Airlines confirmed that passengers on canceled flights would receive automatic rebooking where possible. Notices are being sent by email, SMS, and airline apps. If a traveler does not receive a rebooking or the new trip does not work, the carrier is allowing changes at no extra cost or a full refund for the unused ticket. United Airlines issued similar guidance for its Brussels services.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, large hub shutdowns like this one often trigger multi-day schedule resets as aircraft and crews return to normal rotation, so some passengers may see rolling changes even after flight operations restart.

Important: keep all travel records, messages from the airline, and boarding passes to document delays or cancellations if you need to file a claim later.

Immediate actions passengers can take

1. Check your flight status before leaving home—use the airline’s app or website; last-minute changes are likely.
2. Make sure your contact details are current in your booking so airlines can send timely alerts.
3. Accept automatic rebooking or request alternatives via the airline’s chat assistant or service center at no extra charge.
4. Ask for a refund if you no longer wish to travel—airlines confirmed full refunds are available when rebooking does not work.
5. Sort out baggage:
   • If you accept rebooking, checked bags are normally transferred to the new flight.
   • If you switch to train or bus for onward travel, the airline will try to arrange baggage reclaim.
6. If booked via a travel agency or tour operator, contact them directly—they can handle changes and refunds on your behalf.

EU passenger rights and compensation (EC 261/2004)

Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, travelers have rights to care and assistance when cancellations or long delays occur. This includes:
– Meals and refreshments
– When an overnight stay is needed: hotel accommodation and ground transport between the hotel and airport

Compensation rules are more complex during strikes. When a cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances—such as a broad strike that shuts down airport operations—cash compensation may not apply. However, airlines must still provide care, rebooking, or refunds.

For official guidance, see the European Commission’s page on air passenger rights:
– European Commission – Air Passenger Rights

Practical tips for claims and expenses

• File EU261 claims through the airline’s official online forms or customer service channels.
• If your claim is wrongly declined or the airline does not respond, escalate to the national enforcement body where the issue occurred.
• Include these items with your claim:
  • Booking code
  • Flight number
  • Date of travel
  • Receipts for meals or hotels provided or promised by the airline

For out-of-pocket expenses during the disruption:
– Keep itemized receipts for meals, hotels, and transport.
– Airlines must cover reasonable expenses for care—typically meals during long waits, hotel stays when no same-day reroute is possible, and transport between your hotel and the airport.
– Claims that exceed “reasonable” amounts may be reduced—choose options similar in cost to what the airline would have offered.

Wider impact: city transport and international knock-on effects

The strike also affected public transport in Brussels, disrupting parts of the metro, tram, and bus network. This created extra hurdles for travelers trying to reach the airport or return to the city. Police reported large demonstrations in the center and some street closures as crowds moved through key areas.

For families traveling with children, the combined airport and city transport shutdowns added stress and extra costs, especially when an overnight stay became necessary due to missed onward flights.

The effect reached far from Belgium. In Kigali, Nairobi, Bujumbura, and Entebbe, passengers scheduled to fly to Brussels or connect through the hub found themselves stuck, sometimes with no local flight alternatives on the same day. Travel agents reported long queues as people looked for seats on other routes, including via Frankfurt, Paris, or London.

• Some travelers rebooked onto later Brussels Airlines flights.
• Others asked for refunds and shifted to carriers not routed through Brussels.

Recovery and planning ahead

Airlines cautioned that even after the strike ends, recovery can take time. Common delays in recovery include:
– Aircraft out of position
– Crew duty-time limits preventing immediate redeployment

Travelers should:
– Monitor bookings closely for schedule updates, gate changes, or additional delays
– For tight legal deadlines (visa interviews, resident permit appointments, short-stay Schengen entries), contact the appointment center to explain the disruption and request a new slot
– Keep boarding passes and airline messages to document reasons for delays

Brussels Airlines urged customers to use digital channels first due to long phone wait times. Many passengers reported success with the carrier’s chat assistant to confirm new flights, request refunds, and check baggage status. Travelers who booked through package tour operators should use the agency’s helpline; package travel rules may offer extra protection, including replacement travel or refunds for unused parts of the trip.

Tips if you must travel near-term through Brussels Airport

• Consider flexible tickets or routings that allow changes without fees while operations stabilize.
• Build in buffer time for essential events such as medical visits or time-sensitive work.
• When connecting to African destinations served by Brussels Airlines, verify whether your onward segment still aligns with the new arrival time into Brussels.

While the national strike in Belgium was time-limited, the event underscores how a single day at a major hub can disrupt global travel patterns. It also highlights the need to keep contact information current and to know your rights before you fly. As always, check your airline’s alerts and Brussels Airport updates before heading out, and save all travel records in case you need to file a claim later.