29.04.2025 18:00
The general strike against the planned cuts in social spending by the federal government in Belgium significantly affected air travel and public transportation. Due to the strike in Brussels and other major cities, many flights were canceled, and public transport services were disrupted.
As a result of a one-day strike against the cuts planned by the government in Belgium, air travel and public transportation came to a standstill.
The cuts planned by the federal government, referred to as "Arizona," in social expenditures such as unemployment and pensions have sparked reactions.
ONE-DAY GENERAL STRIKE HALTS LIFE
At the call of socialist and Christian unions, public and private sector workers went on a general strike for one day. This strike, held for the fourth time this year, began in the morning in major cities such as the capital Brussels, Liege, Antwerp, Hasselt, Charleroi, and Mons, causing air travel and public transportation to come to a standstill.
Brussels Airport in Zaventem announced that all departing flights were canceled, and about half of the arriving flights were also canceled. All flights at Charleroi Airport were canceled. Public transportation services in Brussels were largely disrupted throughout the day, with only a few buses, trams, and metro services operating. Ten Eurostar train services planned between Brussels and Paris were also canceled. Waste collection, postal services, and public hospitals were negatively affected by the strike.
'BLACK COFFIN' LEFT AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE RULING PARTY
According to police data, 4,000 people demonstrated in Brussels. The demonstrators left a symbolic black coffin at the headquarters of Prime Minister Bart de Wever's right-wing New Flemish Alliance Party (N-VA).
4TH GENERAL STRIKE IN 4 MONTHS
The "Arizona" government, composed of right-wing parties, had made decisions to reduce unemployment benefits to 2 years and to review many social aids.
Unions had previously gone on general strike on January 13, February 13, and March 31.