Brussels Airport Strike October 9: Cancellations and Passenger Guide

Quick answer: Brussels Airport is warning of significant disruption on Friday, October 9, 2026 because part of the workforce at ground handler Alyzia is expected to participate in a national action. The airport says roughly half of the flights handled by Alyzia are expected to operate as planned, while a number of others will be cancelled. Belgian reporting puts the current cancellation estimate at around 140 flights.

If your flight is handled by Aviapartner, Brussels Airport says no impact is currently expected from this specific action. If Alyzia handles your flight, the airline should contact you directly with your flight status and available options.

Last verified: October 7, 2026. Flight lists can change as airlines register cancellations, so check again before travelling to the airport.

What is happening at Brussels Airport on October 9?

Belgium has a national manifestation on Friday, October 9. Brussels Airport says part of the staff at Alyzia, one of the airport’s ground-handling companies, is expected to take part.

Ground handlers perform work that is essential to operating many flights, including baggage, ramp and other turnaround functions. That means a flight can be disrupted even when the airline’s own pilots and cabin crew are not on strike.

Brussels Airport’s official notice currently says approximately half of Alyzia-handled flights should operate, with the rest facing cancellation or disruption.

How many flights are cancelled?

The airport itself has not fixed the warning to one permanent final number because airlines continue registering changes. Current Belgian reporting estimates around 140 arrivals and departures will be cancelled.

That number can move before Friday. The more reliable test for an individual passenger is not the headline total, but whether the airline has marked your specific flight as operating, cancelled or rebooked.

Which flights are most at risk?

Brussels Airlines has separately said it must cancel part of its schedule because Alyzia handles its operations. Current Belgian reporting says about 40% of Brussels Airlines flights are affected.

Other airlines using Alyzia can also be affected. Do not assume that an airline is safe or cancelled based on a social-media list: use the Brussels Airport flight tracker and your airline’s booking page.

How to check if your Brussels Airport flight is cancelled

1. Check your airline app or booking page. This is usually the fastest place to see rebooking.
2. Check Brussels Airport’s flight overview. A cancellation appears there after the airline registers it.
3. Look for an email, SMS or app notification. Airlines working with Alyzia are expected to contact affected passengers.
4. Check again on October 8 and before leaving on October 9. Operational plans can still change.

What should you do if your flight is cancelled?

Under current EU passenger-rights guidance, a cancelled flight generally gives you a choice between ticket reimbursement, rerouting at the earliest opportunity, or rerouting at a later date under comparable conditions.

If you are waiting for rerouting, assistance obligations can also apply, including meals and, where necessary, accommodation. Keep receipts for reasonable costs if your airline does not provide required assistance directly.

Financial compensation is a separate question. EU guidance distinguishes between an airline’s duty to offer refund or rerouting and the additional cash compensation that can depend on the cause of the cancellation. External airport or ground-handler strikes may qualify as extraordinary circumstances in some cases, so do not assume every October 9 cancellation automatically produces a fixed compensation payment.

Should you go to Brussels Airport if the airline has not contacted you?

If your flight still shows as operating, follow your airline’s normal check-in instructions and allow extra time. Do not voluntarily abandon a valid flight solely because you saw the strike headline.

If your flight shows as cancelled, contact the airline or use its rebooking tools before travelling to the terminal unless the airline specifically tells you to go there.

What about the October 12 public-service action?

Brussels Airport is also warning about a separate trade-union action on Monday, October 12. The airport currently says it does not expect that action to affect air traffic, but public transport to and from the airport may be disrupted.

What if you have a connection through Brussels?

Connecting passengers should check the full itinerary rather than only the first segment. If one leg is cancelled and the itinerary was booked on a single ticket, your airline may reroute the whole journey.

If you booked separate tickets, the protection can be different because one airline may have no responsibility for a separately booked onward flight. Contact both carriers as early as possible if you built your own connection.

Practical checklist for October 9

• Confirm whether the flight is handled by Alyzia or Aviapartner.
• Check the airline’s own status before the airport status.
• Save screenshots of cancellation or rebooking notices.
• Keep receipts for reasonable meals, transport or accommodation if disruption requires them.
• Do not buy an expensive replacement flight before checking the rerouting offered by your carrier.
• Check public transport separately from the flight itself.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brussels Airport closed on October 9?

No. The airport is not announcing a full closure. Many flights are expected to operate, but substantial cancellations are planned among flights handled by Alyzia.

How many Brussels Airport flights are cancelled?

Current reporting estimates around 140 cancellations, while the airport says approximately half of Alyzia-handled flights are expected to operate.

Are Aviapartner flights affected?

Brussels Airport currently says no impact is expected for flights handled by Aviapartner from this specific action.

Will Brussels Airlines cancel flights?

Yes. Brussels Airlines says it must cancel part of its schedule because of the expected staffing impact at its handling partner.

Can I get a refund if my flight is cancelled?

EU passenger-rights guidance generally gives passengers a choice between reimbursement, rerouting at the earliest opportunity or rerouting later under comparable conditions. Additional compensation depends on the circumstances.

Official sources

Check the latest Brussels Airport operational announcement and your airline booking before travel. For legal passenger-rights information, see the European Union’s Your Europe air passenger rights guide.

For more disruption and destination updates, visit AVARIXO’s Travel section.