On Friday, October 9, 2026, a labor mobilization in Belgium is affecting operations at Brussels Airport, where a group of Alyzia employees—part of the ground handling team—has joined the strike. This has led to the cancellation of about 100 flights, with approximately 400 flights still operating. Brussels Airlines, one of the affected carriers, plans to cancel nearly 40% of its flights from and to the airport. The disruptions are expected to impact travelers, with airlines contacting passengers directly to offer alternatives or refunds. Ground handling is a critical part of airport operations, involving the movement of aircraft, baggage, and freight. Alyzia, one of the two main ground handling providers at the airport, is participating in a national mobilization against certain policies of the Belgian federal government. While the airport will not be completely shut down, only a little more than half of the flights handled by Alyzia will proceed as planned. Flights handled by the other provider, Aviapartner, are expected to be unaffected. The reported 140 canceled flights align with an earlier estimate from Tuesday, October 6. These cancellations affect flights at Brussels-Zaventem Airport, with the number of affected flights depending on which ground handling provider each airline uses. Alyzia serves 21 airlines at the airport, according to information relayed by Belgian media. Brussels Airlines, which is among the most affected, expects around 30,000 passengers on the day and will proactively contact those with canceled flights to offer alternatives or refunds. The impact of the mobilization extends beyond baggage handling to include aircraft preparation and freight operations. A reduction in staff can lead to flight cancellations even if aircraft and crews are available. Alyzia, which has operated at the airport since 2020 and recently received a seven-year license extension, is a key player in the airport’s operations. Travelers are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline, as the airport’s website will only show cancellations once they are confirmed by the airline. Public transport disruptions may further complicate travel to the airport. De Lijn and the TEC network report service issues on October 9 and 12, while the STIB expects disruptions in Brussels on Friday. A rail strike by the SNCB is also expected to affect services from Sunday, October 11, at 10 p.m., through Monday, October 12. At Brussels South Charleroi Airport, all scheduled flights are expected to continue, though travelers should allow extra time for potential transport delays. The mobilization on October 9 is part of a broader strike by the FGTB and CSC unions, who are protesting against the Belgian federal government’s policies. According to Le Soir, the unions have identified three key issues: an unilateral attack on wage indexing, a potential increase in value-added tax, and changes to how working hours are structured. The strikes are expected to continue into Monday, with the airport warning that while air traffic should remain unaffected, public transport may still face disruptions.