Brussels South Charleroi Airport has announced the cancellation of all departing flights today due to ongoing strike action by the airport’s security staff. The strike is affecting around 16,000 passengers, including many flying with Ryanair.
While arrivals remain unaffected, the strike has resulted in the cancellation of several flights, particularly those departing for the UK, including:
- 12:30 PM flight to Manchester (FR5328)
- 2:35 PM flight to Edinburgh (FR7323)
- 6:25 PM flight to Manchester (FR3223)
- 8:55 PM flight to Manchester (FR3239)
Ryanair has confirmed that affected passengers will be offered the option to reroute their flights or request refunds. The airline has apologized for the disruption, emphasizing that the situation is beyond their control.
What to Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled
If your flight has been cancelled, airlines are required to provide you with a choice between a refund or an alternative flight. This is the case under UK and EU law if your flight is departing from or arriving at a UK airport. If you need to travel urgently, your airline must book you on an alternative flight, which may even be with another carrier.
For passengers whose flights have been affected by this strike, Ryanair has sent out emails with instructions on how to proceed.
Compensation and Your Rights
In situations where flights are delayed or cancelled due to factors outside the airline’s control, such as strikes or extreme weather, passengers are generally not entitled to compensation. However, airlines are obligated to assist passengers with refunds or alternative travel arrangements.
If your flight has been significantly delayed (more than three hours), you may be entitled to compensation, depending on the cause of the delay. Always check your travel insurance policy as it may cover delays or cancellations beyond the airline’s control.
A Widespread Issue
This strike is the third at Brussels South Charleroi in the past two months, with staff calling for improved working conditions. Recent strikes and weather disruptions have affected several UK airports as well, with flights cancelled due to Storm Ashley last weekend.
While normal flight operations are expected to resume tomorrow, passengers are advised to stay in contact with their airline for updates.
For more information, affected passengers should check the airport’s website or contact their airline directly.
