Air, sea and land trains have been disrupted by a nationwide strike
According to local news reports, on March 31, 2025, Belgium will face a national strike, the strike will affect rail, road, port and air transport and other areas, is expected to cause serious chaos in the country.
It is worth noting that a few days earlier, on 19 March, Belgian maritime workers (including crew and pilots) also went on strike over pension cuts, causing major problems for the Port of Antwerp and the North Sea Port, and after only one night of the strike, 15 ships were stranded, 7 ships were waiting to leave Antwerp and 8 ships were waiting to enter port (4 ships bound for Antwerp, 8 ships were waiting to enter port). 4 ships bound for Beihai Port). Belgian maritime workers are also planning a nationwide strike on March 31, 2025, including a rail strike.
The Belgian newspaper Le Soir further reported that due to the nationwide strike, Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport have cancelled all flights departing on March 31. Brussels Airport confirmed that due to the strike, the normal operation of the airport will be severely disrupted, and ground processing and security services will be suspended throughout the day. The strike is expected to cause widespread disruption to Belgium's transport system and public services across the country.
In addition, due to the knock-on effects of this industrial action, flight arrivals may also experience significant delays or cancellations. The strike is part of a wider protest movement in Belgium over the government's proposed changes to pension rules and Labour market policies. The reforms, which include changes to the retirement age threshold and changes to employment regulations, have sparked resistance from various industries. Workers in sectors such as transportation, education and health care are expected to join the strike, further adding to the chaos across the country.
Brussels Airport urged passengers to reschedule flights or seek alternative means of travel. At the same time, public transport services, including trains and buses, are also expected to operate on a limited basis, which will add to the complexity of domestic travel.
The strike will be the second nationwide strike in Belgium linked to the government's reform agenda, showing the continuing discontent and organized resistance of workers across Belgium to the government's reform measures. If no resolution is reached in the coming weeks, more protests and strikes are expected.
Belgium's largest rail union has confirmed it will take part in the strike. Brussels Airlines has also confirmed that all departing flights on March 31 have been cancelled. A statement on the airport's website noted that due to the national strike and a large number of security personnel and porters declared strike, the airport operations are expected to be severely disrupted on the day. To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, the airport has decided to suspend any departing passenger flights in consultation with the airlines.
A nationwide strike in Belgium on March 31, 2025 will have a wide impact on transport, port operations and public services across the country.
It is worth noting that a few days earlier, on 19 March, Belgian maritime workers (including crew and pilots) also went on strike over pension cuts, causing major problems for the Port of Antwerp and the North Sea Port, and after only one night of the strike, 15 ships were stranded, 7 ships were waiting to leave Antwerp and 8 ships were waiting to enter port (4 ships bound for Antwerp, 8 ships were waiting to enter port). 4 ships bound for Beihai Port). Belgian maritime workers are also planning a nationwide strike on March 31, 2025, including a rail strike.
The Belgian newspaper Le Soir further reported that due to the nationwide strike, Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport have cancelled all flights departing on March 31. Brussels Airport confirmed that due to the strike, the normal operation of the airport will be severely disrupted, and ground processing and security services will be suspended throughout the day. The strike is expected to cause widespread disruption to Belgium's transport system and public services across the country.
In addition, due to the knock-on effects of this industrial action, flight arrivals may also experience significant delays or cancellations. The strike is part of a wider protest movement in Belgium over the government's proposed changes to pension rules and Labour market policies. The reforms, which include changes to the retirement age threshold and changes to employment regulations, have sparked resistance from various industries. Workers in sectors such as transportation, education and health care are expected to join the strike, further adding to the chaos across the country.
Brussels Airport urged passengers to reschedule flights or seek alternative means of travel. At the same time, public transport services, including trains and buses, are also expected to operate on a limited basis, which will add to the complexity of domestic travel.
The strike will be the second nationwide strike in Belgium linked to the government's reform agenda, showing the continuing discontent and organized resistance of workers across Belgium to the government's reform measures. If no resolution is reached in the coming weeks, more protests and strikes are expected.
Belgium's largest rail union has confirmed it will take part in the strike. Brussels Airlines has also confirmed that all departing flights on March 31 have been cancelled. A statement on the airport's website noted that due to the national strike and a large number of security personnel and porters declared strike, the airport operations are expected to be severely disrupted on the day. To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, the airport has decided to suspend any departing passenger flights in consultation with the airlines.
A nationwide strike in Belgium on March 31, 2025 will have a wide impact on transport, port operations and public services across the country.
