Brussels Airport warns of major flight cancellations on 12 May as national strike approaches
European Court again condemns Belgium over asylum reception; NGOs demand urgent overhaul
EU reaches provisional deal to extend export of unemployment benefits for mobile workers
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Iberia introduces free rebooking window for Brussels passengers ahead of 12 May strike
Iberia will let passengers booked on Brussels flights for 12 May rebook free of charge for travel between 10 and 16 May or switch to nearby airports, anticipating large-scale strike disruption. The measure gives corporates a chance to adjust travel plans early and reduces the risk of missed long-haul connections.
Benelux ‘Étoile’ police operation checks 5,000 vehicles and 4,800 people on Belgian borders
A week-long Benelux police blitz along Belgium’s borders resulted in 45 arrests, dozens of vehicle seizures and thousands of identity checks, the Benelux Union reported on 29 April. The joint operation illustrates how ad-hoc security sweeps can slow cross-border traffic and highlights the importance of carrying proper documentation when travelling for work within the region.
EU moves to mobilise €2 million for 803 Belgian workers displaced by Soliver bankruptcy
The European Commission has asked budget authorities to release €2 million from the EGF to retrain more than 800 Belgian workers dismissed after Soliver’s bankruptcy. The aid package, likely to clear legislative hurdles, will fund reskilling and job-search support, potentially boosting Belgium’s local talent pool and influencing intra-EU labour mobility decisions.
Brussels Airport tells airlines to scrap half of 12 May departures as nationwide strike looms
Brussels Airport has told airlines to cut roughly half of all outbound passenger flights on 12 May because security and ground-handling staff will join a nationwide union protest. The airport hopes the pre-emptive move will keep terminals safe, but business travellers should expect major disruption and consider rerouting via neighbouring hubs. Recurrent industrial action is forcing companies to bake additional contingency time and cost into Belgian travel plans.
EU deal lets Belgian jobseekers keep unemployment benefit abroad for up to six months
A provisional EU regulation will allow Belgian jobseekers to keep drawing national unemployment benefits for up to six months when seeking work in another EU country – double the current limit. The measure, part of a broader revamp of social-security coordination, gives employers and mobile workers greater income security and should encourage cross-border assignments.
Foreign Affairs urges Belgians to leave Mali after wave of attacks in Bamako
After a weekend of deadly attacks in Bamako, Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Ministry told citizens to leave Mali without delay and strongly discouraged all travel to the country. The advisory forces Belgian companies with staff on the ground to review evacuation plans, insurance and onward visa arrangements.
Bpost strike blocks parcel depots in Brussels, delaying passport and permit deliveries
A continuing Bpost labour dispute has shut two key Brussels parcel hubs, holding up time-sensitive documents such as renewed passports, residence cards and work-permit letters. Mobility managers should expect delivery delays of several days and consider alternative pick-up arrangements for urgent files.
Eurostat: children made up 24 % of EU first-time asylum seekers in 2025; Belgium processed 1,600 minor cases
Eurostat reports that nearly one in four EU asylum seekers last year were children. Belgium processed about 1,600 of those cases, highlighting the strain on reception and integration services and signalling possible knock-on effects for immigration processing times.