A nationwide general strike by Belgian unions shut down airports, rail services and parts of the public sector on 26 November, cancelling all Brussels Airport departures and more than half of inbound flights. Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Brussels Airlines scrubbed their Dublin rotations, while Charleroi—another major Ryanair hub—also halted operations.
Travel-management companies in Dublin reported a spike in calls as executives scrambled to rebook meetings with EU institutions and corporate headquarters in Brussels. Limited capacity through Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt meant many engagements pivoted to video. Under EU 261 rules, airlines owe no cash compensation because strikes are deemed “extraordinary circumstances”, though they must offer refunds or rerouting.
![Belgian Strike Grounds Dublin–Brussels Flights, Forcing Irish Firms to Reroute]()
Normal schedules resumed early on 27 November, but the incident underscores Europe’s vulnerability to labour disputes. Mobility managers with high Brussels traffic are reviewing contingency options, including flexible rail-air combinations via London and Paris and holding inventory of Eurostar tickets.
Firms are also revisiting risk-assessment protocols for critical travel, adding strike-tracker alerts to booking platforms, and advising staff on expense procedures for reclaimed accommodation and meal costs. The episode serves as a reminder that even short-haul European itineraries require robust back-up plans.
With Belgian unions threatening further industrial action over wage indexation in early 2026, Irish businesses should map essential travel dates and keep non-refundable bookings to a minimum.
Travel-management companies in Dublin reported a spike in calls as executives scrambled to rebook meetings with EU institutions and corporate headquarters in Brussels. Limited capacity through Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt meant many engagements pivoted to video. Under EU 261 rules, airlines owe no cash compensation because strikes are deemed “extraordinary circumstances”, though they must offer refunds or rerouting.
Normal schedules resumed early on 27 November, but the incident underscores Europe’s vulnerability to labour disputes. Mobility managers with high Brussels traffic are reviewing contingency options, including flexible rail-air combinations via London and Paris and holding inventory of Eurostar tickets.
Firms are also revisiting risk-assessment protocols for critical travel, adding strike-tracker alerts to booking platforms, and advising staff on expense procedures for reclaimed accommodation and meal costs. The episode serves as a reminder that even short-haul European itineraries require robust back-up plans.
With Belgian unions threatening further industrial action over wage indexation in early 2026, Irish businesses should map essential travel dates and keep non-refundable bookings to a minimum.
