Belgium’s three main pilot unions—ACV/CSC, ABVV/FGTB and ACLVB/CGLSB—filed a formal strike notice on 27 April, accusing the federal government of creating an "absurd" situation in which aviators must legally work until 66 or 67 even though European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules ban commercial flying beyond 65. The unions say the mismatch is forcing senior pilots into unemployment or ground jobs, eroding both earnings and flight-safety culture. The notice opens the door to walk-outs across every Belgian carrier, including Brussels Airlines, TUI fly Belgium and charter specialists that support corporate shuttle traffic. No strike date has been set, but industrial action can lawfully begin after a 10-day cooling-off period—placing the first possible stoppage in early May, uncomfortably close to the 12 May national protest already threatening Brussels Airport. Brussels Airlines sharply criticised the move, warning that additional labour unrest would damage Belgium’s reputation for connectivity just as passenger numbers are rebounding. The Lufthansa Group subsidiary urged social partners to find a negotiated solution, noting that repeated strikes since 2025 have already dented punctuality metrics and increased operating costs. For global-mobility managers the issue is more than a scheduling nuisance: long-haul duty-of-care itineraries often rely on cockpit crews positioned out of Brussels. Disrupted rotations could trigger cascading delays on North American and African routes that serve multinational headquarters in Belgium.
![Belgian pilot unions file strike notice over pension-age impasse]()
Whether you’re a business traveler racing to rebook flights or an HR officer repositioning assignees, VisaHQ can remove at least one variable from the equation. Its dedicated Belgium page (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) gives real-time guidance on visa requirements, delivers fast application processing and even arranges courier pick-up—ensuring that valid travel documents are never the weak link when schedules suddenly change.
HR teams with assignees booked in May should build slack into travel plans, buy refundable fares where possible and prepare alternative routings via Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt.
Whether you’re a business traveler racing to rebook flights or an HR officer repositioning assignees, VisaHQ can remove at least one variable from the equation. Its dedicated Belgium page (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) gives real-time guidance on visa requirements, delivers fast application processing and even arranges courier pick-up—ensuring that valid travel documents are never the weak link when schedules suddenly change.
HR teams with assignees booked in May should build slack into travel plans, buy refundable fares where possible and prepare alternative routings via Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt.
