Your support helps us to tell the story

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Editor

Find out more

The end of September normally brings fewer problems for airline passengers – with the summer peak ending and carriers winding down their schedules, pressure on aviation in Europe and beyond is eased.

But air travellers will be faced with a range of issues from the start of October.

In Belgium, a national strike is scheduled for 1 October – with Brussels airport announcing no passenger flights will depart due to a walk-out by security staff.

Initially the airport thought around one in five flights could operator. But managers now say: “To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, the airlines, in consultation with Brussels airport, have decided not to operate any departing passenger flights on 1 October.

“The airlines are informing passengers directly of the cancellation of their flights. We ask passengers not to travel to the airport on 1 October.

“Arriving passenger flights may operate, but cancellations are likely. We advise all passengers who are scheduled to arrive at Brussels airport on 1 October to check the status of their flight with their airline or on our website.”

A Brussels Airlines spokesperson said: “Passengers whose flight is cancelled will be contacted by Brussels Airlines. The airline will offer an alternative flight schedule and will do its utmost to get everyone on their destination with the least possible delay. This can be a flight on an earlier departure date, a later date or the same day via another hub of Lufthansa Group.”

Brussels Airlines is a sister carrier to Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Swiss and Lufthansa.

October brings multiple other problems for air travellers, according to the latest bulletin from the Opsgroup.

The group, an international membership organisation for pilots and other aviation staff, has released its latest bulletin detailing the challenges.

The Opsgroup also warns: “Lebanon’s CAA has announced a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies aboard civil aircraft until further notice.”

Read more: Britons urged to leave Lebanon now – but what are their travel options after most flights cancelled?

Read More