Brussels Charleroi airport cancels all flights due to Belgian national strike on May 12

Brussels South Charleroi Airport has suspended all flight operations for 12 May 2026

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) has officially cancelled all scheduled flights for Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The decision comes as Belgium’s three primary trade unions—ACV-CSC, ABVV-FGTB, and ACLVB-CGSLB—organize a coordinated national day of action against federal government reforms.

Airport management confirmed the total shutdown on 11 May, citing an inability to maintain safe operations. According to a statement from Brussels South Charleroi Airport, the facility "will be unable to operate the scheduled flights" because of a critical lack of staff in essential areas like security screening, firefighting, and air-side operations.

Extensive travel disruptions across Belgium

The strike is not limited to Charleroi. Brussels Airport (BRU) is also facing severe service reductions, with approximately half of its departures cancelled. National carrier Brussels Airlines announced it would cut its services by roughly 60 percent, focusing its remaining capacity on flights with the highest number of direct passengers.

The airline expressed frustration with the recurring industrial actions. "Brussels Airlines is not involved in the industrial dispute between the trade unions and the federal government in Belgium. Yet the consequences always fall on our passengers, our colleagues and our company," a spokesperson for the airline stated.

While air travel is heavily impacted, other transport sectors are also bracing for the following:

• Public transport: STIB (Brussels), De Lijn (Flanders), and TEC (Wallonia) have warned of significant delays and limited services.
• National rail: While SNCB trains are expected to run, the operator has warned of overcrowding as travelers seek alternatives to grounded flights.
• Road safety: Brussels police have issued warnings of severe traffic congestion due to organized demonstrations in the city center.

What this means for travelers

Airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and TUI fly Belgium are in the process of contacting approximately 35,000 affected passengers from Charleroi alone to offer rebookings or refunds. Travelers are urged to verify their flight status before heading to any Belgian airport.

Travelers should also stay informed about upcoming changes to European border entry, such as the recent EES launch, which may impact transit through neighboring hubs.