Irish executives heading to EU institutions and company headquarters in Brussels faced a day of disruption on 26 November after a nationwide strike by Belgian unions shut down airports, rail services and parts of the public sector. Brussels Airport cancelled all departures and more than half of inbound flights, prompting Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Brussels Airlines to scrub their Dublin rotations.
Charleroi, a major Ryanair hub, also halted operations, while Eurostar and domestic rail services were hit, complicating onward journeys. Travel-management companies in Dublin reported a spike in calls as corporate travellers sought last-minute routings via Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, but tight capacity meant many meetings shifted online.
![Belgian General Strike Grounds Dublin–Brussels Flights, Forcing Irish Firms to Reroute Travel]()
Under EU261 rules, airlines are not obliged to pay cash compensation because strikes constitute “extraordinary circumstances”, yet they must offer refunds or rerouting. Mobility managers should remind travellers to keep receipts for reasonable meals and hotels, which carriers must reimburse.
Normal schedules resumed early on 27 November, but the incident underscores chronic vulnerability to labour disputes across Europe’s transport network. Irish firms with high Brussels traffic are reviewing contingency plans, including flexible rail-air combinations via London and Paris.
Charleroi, a major Ryanair hub, also halted operations, while Eurostar and domestic rail services were hit, complicating onward journeys. Travel-management companies in Dublin reported a spike in calls as corporate travellers sought last-minute routings via Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, but tight capacity meant many meetings shifted online.
Under EU261 rules, airlines are not obliged to pay cash compensation because strikes constitute “extraordinary circumstances”, yet they must offer refunds or rerouting. Mobility managers should remind travellers to keep receipts for reasonable meals and hotels, which carriers must reimburse.
Normal schedules resumed early on 27 November, but the incident underscores chronic vulnerability to labour disputes across Europe’s transport network. Irish firms with high Brussels traffic are reviewing contingency plans, including flexible rail-air combinations via London and Paris.
