Belgium entered the third and closing day of coordinated industrial motion on Wednesday November 26 2025, bringing widespread disruption throughout transport networks, airports, and components of the personal sector. The nationwide strike, organised by a number of commerce unions, continues to have an effect on residents, commuters and travellers – together with many expats and holidaymakers flying between Belgium and Spain.
As with earlier strike days, public transport companies stay restricted and airports are experiencing main operational challenges. All passenger departures from Brussels Airport in Zaventem have been cancelled at present, as a consequence of important participation from safety and baggage-handling employees. More than 100 arriving flights have been cancelled, whereas 93 incoming companies have been diverted to Maastricht Airport within the Netherlands.
Travellers are being urged to not go to Brussels Airport, with airways contacting passengers straight about cancellations or modifications.
Charleroi Airport in Hainaut Province can be dealing with main uncertainty. With staffing shortages anticipated all through the day, airport authorities have warned they can not assure whether or not scheduled arrivals and departures will function as deliberate.
Rail companies are operating at lowered capability throughout Belgium. The state operator NMBS continues its 72-hour strike, which started on Sunday November 23. Approximately 60% of Intercity companies, 40% of suburban S trains and 40% of stopping (L) trains are working. An tailored timetable is being up to date within the route planner 24 hours prematurely.
Public transport in Brussels has been significantly restricted. On Wednesday 26 morning, solely three tram routes and two metro traces had been functioning, whereas no bus companies had been operating. In Flanders, De Lijn stories 55% to 65% of buses and trams are working, although the scenario varies by area. The operator urges clients to test its web site or cell app for real-time updates.
Factories, supermarkets and main roads additionally impacted
The strike has prolonged far past the transport sector, affecting supermarkets, factories and key roadways. While most supermarkets in Flanders stay open, retailers warn of employees shortages and delays in recent product deliveries. Blockades at main distribution centres – together with Delhaize’s website in Zellik – might worsen provide points all through the day. In Brussels and Wallonia, the potential of non permanent grocery store closures is increased.
Industrial areas have additionally seen focused motion. Several entry roads to main websites have been partially blocked, together with the Scheldelaan within the Port of Antwerp and the Kennedylaan in Ghent. These blockades are occurring at common intervals, with stoppages lasting between 5 and 10 minutes every hour.
One of essentially the most important office impacts has been noticed on the Volvo automobile meeting plant in Ghent. The manufacturing facility, using round 6,500 staff, got here to a standstill on Wednesday morning as staff joined strike motion. Picket traces stay in place, and though some employees have reported for obligation, they’ve been assigned solely upkeep duties. The manufacturing line is predicted to stay halted till additional discover.
Background: what has occurred up to now within the three-day nationwide strike?
The ongoing strike is a part of a wider nationwide interprofessional motion operating from Monday November 24 to Wednesday 26. Public-sector staff, transport employees and private-sector staff have participated on completely different days, resulting in cumulative nationwide disruption.
Education unions have additionally joined the motion. While the complete scale of college closures stays unclear, at the very least one union dedicated to hanging on a number of days, with the socialist union confirming walkouts for each Tuesday and Wednesday.
Prison employees have been hanging since Monday night, affecting operations on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 November. Meanwhile, police unions have issued a three-day strike discover, although the extent of disruption stays unsure.
For expats in Spain travelling to or from Belgium – or these following occasions overseas – at present’s closing strike day stays essentially the most disruptive, significantly for air journey. Anyone with upcoming flights is strongly suggested to observe updates straight from their airline.
