Brussels-Zaventem Airport will operate on a drastically reduced schedule today, 9 October, after ground-handling staff walked out in a 24-hour wage dispute. The airport authority announced late on 6 October that around 140 arrivals and departures would be cancelled; updated schedules show at least five LOT Polish Airlines rotations (to Warsaw and Kraków) and four Ryanair services from Modlin and Wrocław scrapped, alongside flights by Brussels Airlines and Wizz Air. Passengers originating in Poland or connecting via Brussels have been offered free re-routing or refunds under EU Regulation 261/2004. LOT said it would rebook affected travellers on its evening services via Amsterdam and Frankfurt, but warned that onward rail or hotel costs are not covered. Corporate travel managers should check GDS queues for involuntary reissues and advise employees to obtain written delay confirmations for expense claims. Cargo operations are also hit: the walkout includes ramp agents who handle express freight. Polish exporters of pharmaceuticals and high-tech components to Benelux customers could see one-day delivery windows slip. DHL told clients it would divert urgent Warsaw consignments to Liège where possible, but capacity is tight. The strike underscores a broader labour tightness across Europe’s aviation ground-service sector. Analysts note that Poland’s own airports have thus far avoided major unrest thanks to recent above-inflation pay deals, yet sustained disruptions at hub airports increase missed-connection risk for Polish travellers worldwide. Companies may wish to add a buffer night to itineraries routed through Brussels for the remainder of the week in case of knock-on delays. Belgian unions have threatened further industrial action later in the month if negotiations stall, so travellers and mobility teams should monitor advisories and maintain flexible booking policies.
Source: Lotniska24.pl
