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Charleroi air traffic controllers announce strikes: thousands of flights affected

Air traffic controllers at Skeyes in Charleroi will strike from the evening of September 16, potentially lasting until October 10, severely impacting flight operations.

17 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Charleroi air traffic controllers announce strikes: thousands of flights affected — Archive photoPhoto: Fernandopascullo · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

The air traffic controllers at Skeyes in Charleroi airport have announced that they will begin striking from the evening of September 16. This action will take place every night from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM and may continue until October 10. The strike is a result of failed negotiations over night premium pay, according to Lennert Mervilde from the VSOA union.

According to Skeyes, an estimated 832 flight movements will be affected by the strike. Many travelers will be impacted, with estimates suggesting that up to 300,000 passengers could be directly affected by this strike. Travelers are advised to expect possible cancellations and delays.

Nearly 30 Ryanair flights have already been canceled in advance of the strike on Wednesday, and the number of canceled flights may increase as the strike progresses. Cancellations are already visible today, with a series of 44 flights cancelled at the airport, disrupting air traffic in the surrounding region.

The direct consequences will also influence the course of the strike, as the air traffic controllers in Charleroi are demanding the same compensation as their colleagues in Liège. This leads to a broader conflict within Skeyes' staff over working conditions, further complicating the situation.

Skeyes has expressed regret over the scale and duration of the announced actions, but the unions are determined to continue the strike until a solution is found. The airport has proposed to resume talks, but negotiations remain stalled for now.

The strike by the air traffic controllers will not only affect the airport's direct operations but may also lead to broader consequences and disruptions in flight scheduling, making it essential for travelers to stay informed about their travel arrangements and any cancellations. All of this makes the situation at Charleroi airport particularly challenging for the coming weeks.

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