Belgium triggers nationwide heatwave alert; employers urged to adapt travel and assignment plans

The Belgian National Crisis Centre moved the country into the ‘alert phase’ of its ozone and heatwave plan late on 24 June 2026 as temperatures surpassed 35 °C and are expected to peak at 38 °C on Friday. While the measure is primarily a public-health response, it carries practical implications for global mobility. Brussels Airport has asked carriers to monitor runway temperature thresholds that, if exceeded, could require payload restrictions or temporary suspensions of take-offs during afternoon peaks. Several logistics firms have already shifted freight departures to night slots to avoid tarmac overheating. Belgian labour law allows employers to shorten outdoor work when the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature crosses 29 °C. Construction multinationals have therefore rearranged shift patterns, and office landlords in Brussels’ EU quarter are reducing indoor thermostat settings to cool meeting rooms that host visiting executives and diplomats. For expatriates and business travellers, health authorities recommend flexible scheduling, increased hydration and the avoidance of midday commuting. The SNCB rail operator warns that steel track dilatation may cause speed restrictions, potentially adding 15–30 minutes to inter-city journeys. The current alert stops short of the highest ‘red’ level, but meteorologists caution that climate change is making such episodes more frequent. Companies with large seasonal mobilisations – notably in the events and agritech sectors – are urged to integrate extreme-heat protocols into their risk assessments.