Portugal, Belgium strikes cancel flights

Portugal and Belgium were hit by separate labor actions this week that snarled air travel at the start of the summer season. In Portugal, a one-day general strike on Wednesday, June 3, halted trains, closed schools and canceled hundreds of flights as unions protested the government's labor reform plans. In Belgium, a surprise strike by air traffic controllers on Tuesday, June 2, forced Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport to cancel flights for part of the day. The two actions were unrelated, but both disrupted passengers moving through major European hubs. ### Why were Portugal's airports and trains hit at the same time? Portugal's main umbrella union, CGTP, called the June 3 strike against the center-right government's proposed labor overhaul, according to Reuters. The stoppage was the country's second general strike in six months and spread across transport, schools and other public services. Lisbon was one of the clearest examples of the disruption. Metro stations were closed, train services were halted and schools shut in parts of the country as workers joined the walkout, Reuters reported. Unions say the planned reforms would weaken worker protections; the government says the changes are meant to modernize the labor market. ### How big was the flight disruption in Portugal? Portuguese strike organizers said about 500 flights could be affected by the June 3 action. Reuters reported that hundreds of flights were canceled as airport operations were hit alongside rail and urban transport. Airlines and airport operators warned travelers to expect delays and cancellations across Portugal on Wednesday. The action came as aviation workers joined the broader stoppage, adding to disruption already visible in trains and local transit. ### What exactly happened in Belgium on June 2? Belgium's disruption began on Tuesday, June 2, when air traffic controllers at Skeyes, the national air navigation service provider, staged what Belgian media described as a surprise or spontaneous strike. Belga said air traffic to and from Belgium was suspended from 2 p.m. local time. Brussels Airport said all departing and arriving flights scheduled between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. were canceled, and flights due between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. were delayed until after 9 p.m. if possible. Politico reported that about 140 flights were affected at Brussels Airport alone. Charleroi Airport also canceled flights during the stoppage. ### Why did Belgian controllers walk out? Skeyes said the industrial action was tied to concerns among controllers over working conditions linked to a future digital control tower in Namur, according to Belga and The Brussels Times. The project is due to centralize tower operations for Liège and Charleroi beginning in 2027. Liège was also affected. The Brussels Times reported that an earlier overnight stoppage had already led to 30 passenger flight cancellations at Charleroi and affected around 40 cargo flights at Liège Airport before the broader afternoon suspension. ### Were the two strikes connected? June 2 and June 3 were separate events in different labor disputes. Portugal's strike was a nationwide union action over labor law changes, while Belgium's stoppage involved air traffic controllers and operational concerns at Skeyes. Brussels and Charleroi resumed operations after the Belgian stoppage ended at 9 p.m. on June 2, airport notices said. In Portugal, unions and the government were still locked in a dispute on June 3 over legislation that Reuters said is due to go to parliament.