National strike enters final day as disruption eases in some sectors
Belgium’s three-day national strike against the government’s reform plans entered its final and most extensive day on Wednesday, bringing widespread disruption across the country.
After two days of targeted walkouts in the railways and public services, the action broadened to include the private sector, with protests taking place at supermarket depots and significant disruption reported in air travel and public transport.
The action was called by Belgium’s three major unions, ABVV, ACV and ACLVB, with railway workers striking on Monday, public sector staff on Tuesday and a general nationwide strike taking place on Wednesday.
Public transport operators De Lijn, STIB/MIVB and TEC all continue to run heavily reduced schedules, although slightly more trains, buses and trams are operating compared to the previous days. Schools also reported limited disruption.
Air traffic was hit particularly hard. All departing flights from Brussels Airport were cancelled, and operations at Charleroi remained uncertain. On Wednesday morning, the departure hall at Zaventem was almost completely empty. ACLVB and ACV held symbolic protests inside and outside the building, joined by PVDA MP Jos D’Haese.
“The cancelled flights and the empty departure hall are not the union's fault,” said Kelly Ruiu of ACLVB. “They are the result of a government that refuses to listen and leaves us no choice but to take action.”
© BELGA VIDEO INE GILLIS
In total, 206 departing and 110 arriving flights at Brussels Airport were cancelled, affecting 39,000 passengers. Ground handling and security staff formed the core of the walkout.
“We regret the impact on our passengers, especially since the action is not directed against the airport itself, but against the federal government’s measures,” said airport spokesperson Jeffrey Franssens. “Nevertheless, our sector is being disproportionately affected.”
This is the seventh time Brussels Airport has faced a union strike this year. According to airport figures, 275,000 passengers have been affected in 2025, and the economic impact has reached 175 million euros.
Port operations slowly return
There was, however, movement towards normality at North Sea Port. After severe disruption earlier in the week, when 14 ships were blocked due to strike-related issues at the Zeebrugge Traffic Control Centre, shipping resumed on Wednesday morning.
Only eight ships remained affected, waiting to enter or leave Ghent. The port authority expects them to move again on Wednesday and Thursday.
Some traffic disruption continued around bridges and roundabouts in the port area, though no full blockades were reported. The Terdonk ferry remains out of service.
Strikers block John Kennedylaan in Ghent during a general strike, 26 November 2025 © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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