Brussels Airport Resumes After Wildcat Strike by Skeyes Controllers
Air traffic at Brussels Airport has resumed following a spontaneous wildcat strike by air traffic controllers at Belgium’s national air navigation service provider Skeyes, though hundreds of flights were cancelled across the country on Tuesday as the walkout escalated throughout the day. The industrial action, triggered by dissatisfaction over the transition to a new digital control center in Namur, brought Belgian airspace to a standstill in two separate waves.
Background: The Dispute Behind the Walkout
The strike stems from a deepening labor dispute over the Digital Tower Development Centre (DTDC) being built in Namur, Wallonia. The facility, expected to become operational later this year, will remotely manage take-offs, landings, and ground movements for Charleroi and Liège airports, replacing their physical control towers. According to VRT NWS, controllers walked off the job overnight on Monday out of dissatisfaction with the transition agreements.
Skeyes management and unions had reached a preliminary agreement on transition measures, which the largest union accepted. The proposed package reportedly included average salary increases of 16% for air traffic controllers, lump-sum raises of €254 per month for technical and meteorological staff, and additional relocation support. However, a faction of workers rejected the deal and launched the spontaneous strike.
Timeline of Disruptions
The walkout unfolded in two distinct phases. The first wave began overnight, halting all Belgian air traffic from 02:30 until approximately 07:00, when Brussels Airport (Zaventem) resumed operations. Airports in Liège, Charleroi, and Ostend followed by 09:30.
Quentin Mertens, spokesperson for Brussels Airport, reported that about 25 departing flights experienced delays of one to two hours, while two incoming flights were diverted to other airports. At Charleroi, between 15 and 30 flights were cancelled, and Liège Airport saw approximately 20 passenger flights affected alongside 35 to 40 cargo flights.
A second, more severe wave struck at 14:00, when all air traffic to and from Belgium was suspended until at least 21:00. Brussels Airport advised passengers not to come to the airport during that window, with approximately 200 flights cancelled. The European air traffic management organization Eurocontrol confirmed the suspension period.
Economic Impact on Cargo Operations
The strike also significantly affected cargo operations. Lorenzo Van de Pol, spokesperson for DHL Aviation, told reporters that at least twelve cargo flights could not depart on time. “For us that naturally means an impact, because shipments then don’t reach their final destination on time,” he said. At Liège Airport, a major cargo hub, 35 to 40 flights were impacted, with some diverted to Cologne.
Management Response and Next Steps
Skeyes spokesperson Kurt Verwilligen expressed surprise at the walkout, stating that the preliminary agreement had been accepted by the largest union. “Last night we were surprised by this strike, which is not supported by the unions,” he said, as reported by HLN.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Skeyes removed the vote on the transition plan from the June 12 agenda of the joint committee, hoping to “create the necessary space to allow further discussion of the file in a serene framework.” The company intends to re-enter negotiations with unions on the accompanying measures.
Broader Context and Outlook
Belgium has experienced recurring labor unrest in its aviation sector. In June 2025, a nationwide strike led to the cancellation of all passenger flights at Brussels Airport, and broader public sector tensions have been simmering amid federal government budget cuts, with a national strike in May 2026 drawing 30,000 protesters.
The Belga News Agency noted that the digital control center represents an inevitable technological transition that other countries are also undertaking. However, the strike has exposed deep divisions between union leadership and rank-and-file workers, raising questions about whether a sustainable agreement can be reached before the June 12 committee vote is rescheduled.
For now, passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates, as the situation remains fluid. Whether the 21:00 resumption time holds or further action follows will depend on the outcome of renewed negotiations between Skeyes and its workforce.