Brussels airport flights cancelled due to a strike by aircraft loading staff and baggage handlers

June 9, 2011

The airport announced on Wednesday that it would replace Aviapartner with Swissport for baggage and freight handling, and loading and unloading of aircraft from November 1, prompting Aviapartner staff to strike.

“This morning we are looking at one in three or one in four flights cancelled,” an airport spokesman said.

The airport’s other partner, Flightcare, would retain its licence for the 2011-2018 period.

Aviapartner provides services for some 40 airlines, including Air France-KLM, British Airways, easyJet and United.

“Some flights using Aviapartner are still running. In the case of Thomas Cook, it is bussing passengers to nearby regional airports,” the spokesman said.

The strike was due to last until 1800 CET (1600 GMT).

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop – Reuters)