Unannounced controllers' strike causes disruption at Brussels Airport

Just a week after Brussels Airport reopened following the terror attacks on 22 March, air traffic on Wednesday came to a near standstill after a spontaneous action by air traffic controllers, write various media.

A number of Belgocontrol air traffic controllers had called in “sick” since Tuesday evening to express their dissatisfaction over a labour dispute, which includes a rise in the minimum retirement age. Mobility minister Jacqueline Galant called on the controllers to urgently resume dialogue.

Several air traffic controllers called in sick on Tuesday evening and again on Wednesday morning, confirms Belgocontrol spokesperson Dominique Dehaene. At 10.00 on Wednesday, Brussels Airport had the capacity to handle 15 flights per hour, much lower than the normal capacity of 76 flights per hour. The action forced Brussels Airlines to cancel more than 50 flights.

“I hope that the dialogue will resume between all parties,” said Galant in a brief statement. “We must, in the interest of all, allow airports to remain operational.”

On Thursday morning, deputy prime minister Kris Peeters tweeted that Belgocontrol employees had agreed to return to work after successful negotiations - and that flights should be back to normal.

However there are still dozens of cancellations at Brussels airport because the terminal has a reduced capacity following the 22 March bombing, with temporary check-in facilities in place.