The Brussels Airport strike on Friday, October 9, will cancel about 140 flights, including roughly 40% of Brussels Airlines' schedule. But walk through the terminal that day and you'll find something odd. A British Airways flight to London should leave on time, while a Brussels Airlines flight parked nearby might not leave at all. Same airport, same strike, same day.
The difference comes down to who loads the bags.
Why Some Flights Are Safe
Most travelers never think about ground handling, but it's the work that gets a plane ready between flights. That means loading and unloading bags, guiding the plane in and out of the gate and handling everything else on the ramp. At Brussels, two companies split most of that job, Alyzia and Aviapartner.
On Friday, Alyzia's staff are joining a national demonstration in Brussels organized by Belgium's two largest unions to protest the federal government's policies. With only about half of Alyzia's flights expected to run, the roughly 20 airlines that use it are cutting flights. Aviapartner's staff aren't part of the action, so its airlines are expected to operate as normal.
Friday, October 9
Will Your Brussels Flight Go? Check Who Handles It
Two companies do most of the ground work at Brussels Airport. Only one is on strike.
Handled by Alyzia
About half its flights expected to run
- Brussels Airlines
- Air China
- Air Senegal
- Air Arabia Maroc
- AJet
Handled by Aviapartner
Staff not part of the strike
- British Airways
- Aer Lingus
- Air Canada
- Ryanair
- TUI
Strikes by outside workers protesting the government are usually treated as out of the airline's control under EU rules. Lists show examples, not every airline.
Contrail
That's why Brussels Airlines, Belgium's main airline and part of the Lufthansa Group, is hit so hard. It relies on Alyzia at its home airport, while airlines like British Airways, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Ryanair and TUI use Aviapartner. A plane can have a full crew and be ready to fly, but if no one is there to load the bags and push it back, it isn't going anywhere.
Why You Probably Won't Get Compensation
This is where the strike's cause matters for your wallet. Under EU rules, a canceled flight can earn you up to €600 in cash, but only if the cancellation was within the airline's control. Europe's top court ruled in 2021 that a strike by an airline's own pilots or flight attendants doesn't get it off the hook, since dealing with your own staff is part of running an airline.
Friday is different. The people walking out work for an outside company, and they're protesting the government, not Brussels Airlines. Strikes by outside workers, like airport staff and air traffic controllers, are usually treated as out of the airline's control, so most passengers shouldn't count on a cash payout. The airline still has to prove it, though, so it's worth keeping your booking details if you want to try.
What You're Owed Either Way
Even without compensation, the strike doesn't leave you empty-handed. If your flight is canceled, you can choose between a full refund and a seat on another flight. If you're stuck waiting, the airline also has to cover meals, plus a hotel and transportation if you need to stay overnight.
Brussels Airlines says it's contacting affected passengers directly with those options. If you're flying Friday:
- Check your flight under "My Booking" on the airline's site before leaving for the airport.
- If you'd rather not travel, take the refund instead of accepting the first rebooking you're offered.
- Leave extra time to get to the airport, since buses, trams and the metro in Brussels are also expected to be disrupted.
Not the First Time
Friday will be the third time this year that Brussels Airlines' schedule has been badly disrupted by union action involving other companies, the airline says. Belgium has held several national strike days in 2026 over the government's pension and labor reforms, and the unions are calling this one a first warning before the prime minister's next major policy speech.
If you're planning a trip through Brussels in the coming months, it's worth keeping an eye on Belgian strike dates the same way you'd check the weather. You can't control who loads the bags, but you can know when it might be a problem.
