Spanish flights affected by Belgian air-traffic controller strike

It is not known to what extent other European flights crossing Belgian air space are affected, but of the 50 or so grounded, a number are said to have been due to head for Madrid.

According to the airport's Twitter site: “If the Belgocontrol strike continues, we can expect more flight cancellations today.”

As yet, no flights have been diverted away from Zaventem airport – unlike after the March 22 attacks when those still in the air at the time were sent to Düsseldorf (Germany) or Lille (France).

Zaventum only reopened again on April 3 and is still not completely up and running, with around 225 flights landing and another 225 taking off daily.

Liège and Charleroi airports are not said to be affected.

The strike is not 'official' as it did not gain full support from union members, but it was agreed that those who wished to down tools would 'call in sick'.

Europe's branch of the Airport Council International (ACI) has expressed its fury over the strike.

Shutting Belgian air space over labour disputes just 10 days after it reopened fully following the March tragedy 'shows a total absence of any decency and respect' for the airport and carriers based there who 'are working hard to restore connections' after the terrorist attack, the ACI says.

“Considering what is at stake, this is causing intentional harm to the Belgians at a time when their country is united by grief,” storms an ACI spokesperson.

Director-general Olivier Jankovec has called for the Belgian government to 'weigh up all possible options' to enable it to 'guarantee air-control services be restored swiftly'.