Brussels Airlines Cancels 40% of Flights on Friday Due to Alyzia Strike
Brussels Airlines will cancel around 40% of its Friday flights after ground handler Alyzia staff join a national Belgian trade union strike.
By The Aviation Hub
3 min read
Brussels Airlines is set to cancel around 40% of its flights on Friday after staff at ground handler Alyzia confirmed they will join a national trade-union strike, leaving tens of thousands of passengers facing disruption at Brussels Airport (BRU).
The walkout is part of a nationwide demonstration planned for Friday in Brussels. According to Aviation24.be, Brussels Airport warned that only around half of the flights handled by Alyzia are expected to operate as planned.
What the Alyzia Disruption Means for Friday Flights
Alyzia provides baggage and ramp-handling services at Brussels Airport, covering aircraft handling, loading and unloading, and the transport of baggage between aircraft and the terminal. The company has operated at Brussels Airport since 2020 and was awarded a new seven-year handling licence in 2025, running until October 2032.
Brussels Airlines relies on Alyzia for its ground-handling operations at the airport. The airline expects to carry around 30,000 passengers on Friday, meaning a large number of travellers face cancelled or disrupted journeys, as Aviation24.be reports.
Flights handled by Aviapartner, Brussels Airport's other passenger ground handler, are currently not expected to be affected by the strike action.
What Brussels Airlines Is Doing for Affected Passengers
Brussels Airlines says it will proactively contact passengers whose flights are cancelled and offer an alternative travel option. Passengers can also choose a full refund instead.
Flight status can be checked through the airline's website under "My Booking". Brussels Airport is also advising all passengers travelling on Friday to check with their airline before heading to the airport, and notes that cancellations will appear in its flight information system once airlines have registered them.
The Third Disruption of This Kind in 2026
Brussels Airlines has made clear it regards this as a pattern rather than an isolated event. Spokesperson Nico Cardone said: "We regret that this is the third time this year that our flight schedule has been seriously disrupted by union action involving external parties."
The airline stressed that it is not involved in the industrial action itself. It added that such disruptions affect the travel plans of thousands of passengers and carry a significant financial impact on the carrier.
Brussels Airlines urged trade unions to find ways of making their voices heard without affecting travellers and companies not involved in the dispute.
Wider Disruption Across Brussels on Friday
The strike's effects extend well beyond the airport. Aviation24.be notes that public transport operator STIB is expecting major disruption to its bus, tram and metro network due to the strike action and the passage of the demonstration through the city.
Passengers travelling to Brussels Airport on Friday should factor in potential public transport delays when planning their journey to the terminal.
Tracking Your Brussels Airlines Flight
You can find the latest schedules, route information and airline details for Brussels Airlines using our Airline Search tool.
As Reuters reports, the airport confirmed the situation on Tuesday, giving passengers several days' notice to make alternative arrangements.
The Bottom Line
Around 40% of Brussels Airlines flights on Friday face cancellation because of a strike involving Alyzia ground handling staff, with roughly 30,000 passengers caught in the disruption. The airline is contacting affected travellers directly, and refunds are available for those who prefer not to rebook.
The key things to watch are whether the proportion of cancelled flights changes as Friday approaches, and whether any resolution between the unions and Alyzia emerges before the walkout begins.
Continue to follow The Aviation Hub for more analysis and insight.
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