Commercial Aviation
Brussels Airport Cancels Over 100 Incoming Flights Amid Nationwide Strike
Brussels Airport cancels 110 incoming flights and all departures on Nov 26 during Belgium’s nationwide strike, impacting air and ground transport.
Brussels Airport Cancels Over 100 Incoming Flights Amid Nationwide Strike
We are witnessing significant disruptions in European air travel this week as Brussels Airport confirms the cancellation of 110 incoming flights scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, 2025. This announcement marks a substantial escalation in the operational impact of the ongoing nationwide strike in Belgium. The cancellations are in addition to the previously announced suspension of all departing passenger flights, effectively bringing the country’s main international hub to a near-standstill.
The decision to scale back arrival operations follows a comprehensive assessment of available staffing levels. With a general strike organized by major trade unions gripping the nation, the airport authority determined that it could not guarantee the necessary security and ground-handling services required to safely process the full volume of scheduled traffic. Consequently, travelers attempting to enter Belgium through its capital now face uncertainty comparable to those trying to leave.
This logistical bottleneck is not an isolated incident but the culmination of a three-day industrial action protesting government austerity measures. As the strike reaches its peak on Wednesday, the repercussions are being felt across the entire Belgian transport network, affecting not just aviation but rail and bus services as well. We advise all passengers to exercise extreme caution and verify their travel arrangements immediately.
Operational Impact: Arrivals and Departures
The scale of the disruption at Brussels Airport is extensive. According to confirmed reports, the airport originally scheduled 203 incoming flights for Wednesday. The cancellation of 110 of these flights means that less than half of the expected arrivals will operate. While 93 incoming flights remain on the schedule, airport officials have warned that these operations are subject to potential delays or last-minute changes depending on real-time staffing availability.
The situation for departing passengers is even more severe. Prior to the announcement regarding arrivals, the airport had already taken the decision to cancel all departing passenger flights for the same day. This affects approximately 206 scheduled departures. The rationale behind this total grounding of outbound traffic lies in the security screening process; without sufficient security personnel participating in the strike, the airport cannot legally or safely screen passengers and their luggage.
The combined effect of these cancellations results in a day where the airport will see zero passenger departures and a drastically reduced capacity for arrivals. This operational freeze is driven by a shortage of essential staff across various critical sectors, including security agents and baggage handlers, who are adhering to the strike call.
“Brussels Airport will cancel 110 of the 203 incoming flights on Wednesday, in addition to the departing flights already scrapped due to a nationwide strike.”
The Context: A Nationwide General Strike
To understand the severity of these flight cancellations, we must look at the broader context of the industrial action. The disruptions on November 26 are part of a general nationwide strike organized by Belgium’s primary trade unions, including ACV-CSC, FGTB-ABVV, and CGSLB-ACLVB. This specific date was designated as the focal point of a three-day protest, expected to generate the most severe impact across all economic sectors.
The unions are mobilizing against a suite of austerity measures proposed by the federal government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The contention centers on reforms to labor laws, changes to the unemployment benefit structure, and adjustments to the pension system. The government argues that these budget cuts and reforms are essential to reduce the national deficit and ensure compliance with European Union fiscal regulations. Conversely, the unions maintain that these measures unfairly target the workforce and erode social protections.
This political standoff has spilled over into critical infrastructure, with the aviation sector becoming a highly visible casualty. The inability to staff security checkpoints and ground operations at the airport is a direct result of the high participation rates in the strike action among these specific labor groups.
Broader Travel Implications and Advice
The impact of the strike extends beyond Brussels Airport (BRU). Travelers should be aware that Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA), a major hub for low-cost carriers, has announced a complete closure for Wednesday. Charleroi will see no departures and no arrivals, signaling a total shutdown of commercial aviation at Belgium’s second-largest airport. This leaves travelers with very few aerial options for entering or leaving the country.
Furthermore, the strike has paralyzed ground transportation. Significant disruptions are reported across the national railway operator (SNCB), as well as regional bus and tram networks. This creates a compounding logistical challenge: even passengers on the 93 incoming flights that do land at Brussels Airport may find themselves stranded upon arrival, unable to secure public transport to their final destinations.
We strongly recommend that passengers scheduled to fly to Brussels on Wednesday check their flight status directly with their airlines. Carriers are responsible for informing passengers of cancellations and offering rebooking options. For those scheduled to depart from Brussels, the advice is unequivocal: do not travel to the airport, as no passenger flights will be taking off.
Concluding Section
The events unfolding on November 26, 2025, highlight the fragility of modern transport networks when faced with coordinated industrial action. With over 300 combined flights cancelled at Brussels Airport alone, and a total shutdown at Charleroi, the economic and logistical toll is significant. The strike serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing tensions regarding fiscal policy and labor rights within Belgium.
As the immediate disruptions clear, the focus will likely shift to the backlog of displaced passengers and the resumption of normal schedules. However, the underlying political disagreements regarding the federal budget and labor reforms remain unresolved, suggesting that the dialogue between the government and unions will continue to be a critical factor in the stability of Belgian public services in the near future.
FAQ
Question: Are all flights to Brussels cancelled on Wednesday, November 26?
Answer: No, not all incoming flights are cancelled. Approximately 110 out of 203 incoming flights have been cancelled. However, the remaining flights may still face delays. All departing passenger flights, however, are cancelled.
Question: Why are the flights being cancelled?
Answer: The cancellations are due to a nationwide general strike in Belgium. A shortage of security and ground-handling staff makes it impossible to guarantee safe operations for all flights.
Question: Is public transport available from the airport?
Answer: Public transport is also severely affected by the strike. Trains (SNCB), buses, and trams are experiencing significant disruptions, making travel to and from the airport difficult.
Sources: Reuters
Photo Credit: The Brussels Times
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
AerCap Leases Two Boeing 777-300ERSF to Turkish Airlines
AerCap finalizes lease of two Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters to Turkish Airlines, with deliveries scheduled for 2027.
AerCap Holdings N.V. has finalized lease agreements with Turkish Airlines for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters, with deliveries scheduled between March and September 2027.
Announced on October 29, 2026, the transaction expands the Turkish flag carrier’s dedicated cargo capacity while utilizing Etihad Engineering’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Abu Dhabi for the passenger-to-freighter (P2F) modifications. In a press release detailing the agreement, the Dublin-based aviation lessor emphasized the strategic alignment between the aircraft’s capabilities and the airline’s expanding freight network.
Expanding Turkish Airlines’ cargo operations
The agreement builds on an existing relationship between AerCap and Turkish Airlines, which operates a large international network requiring substantial dedicated cargo lift. The addition of the two widebody freighters is intended to support the carrier’s volume requirements on high-demand international routes.
Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer at AerCap, stated that the aircraft will provide the airline with additional cargo capacity combined with the performance capabilities specific to the 777-300ERSF platform. Financial terms of the lease agreements, including the exact lease duration and the specific aircraft serial numbers, were not disclosed in the announcement.
The Big Twin conversion program
The Boeing 777-300ERSF, marketed as “The Big Twin,” is a P2F conversion program developed through a joint venture between AerCap and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It represents the first program designed to convert the Boeing 777-300ER into a dedicated freighter configuration.
According to AerCap’s cargo division, the 777-300ERSF offers 25 percent more cargo volume than the factory-built Boeing 777-200LRF. This increased capacity positions the converted twin-engine aircraft as a cost-effective replacement for aging four-engine Boeing 747 freighters currently operating in the global fleet.
AerCap delivered the first 777-300ERSF to launch customer Kalitta Air in September 2025. Since that initial delivery, the lessor has handed over aircraft to Fly Meta and secured lease agreements with other major operators, including Ethiopian Airlines and China Southern Group.
Regional conversion strategy in Abu Dhabi
The physical conversion of the two aircraft destined for Turkish Airlines will be executed at the Etihad Engineering MRO hub in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This facility serves as a dedicated regional conversion center for the 777-300ERSF program.
Anderson highlighted the strategic importance of the location, noting that the Abu Dhabi facility provides a regional platform capability that enables aircraft to be converted in the Middle East prior to delivery. This localized approach is designed to efficiently serve customers across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) market.
“The dedicated 777-300ERSF conversion facility at Etihad Engineering’s MRO hub in Abu Dhabi provides an important regional platform capability, enabling the aircraft to be converted in the Middle East ahead of delivery to Turkish Airlines,” Anderson said.
AerCap’s broader market position
The Turkish Airlines agreement follows a period of strong financial performance for AerCap. On October 28, 2026, the company reported its third-quarter financial results, citing record adjusted earnings per share and raising its full-year 2026 guidance amid high lease rates and sustained demand for aviation assets.
As of September 30, 2026, AerCap’s total portfolio included 1,537 owned and managed aircraft, alongside approximately 1,300 engines and over 300 helicopters. The company’s dedicated cargo division manages a fleet of approximately 110 owned, managed, and on-order freighters, having completed more than 160 passenger-to-freighter conversions to date.
AirPro News analysis
We view the placement of 777-300ERSF aircraft with a major network carrier like Turkish Airlines as a strong validation of the Big Twin program’s economic proposition. As operators look to phase out older Boeing 747 freighters, the 25 percent volume advantage over the 777-200LRF makes the converted 300ER an attractive middle ground between factory-built twin-engine freighters and legacy four-engine platforms. Utilizing the Etihad Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi for a European customer also demonstrates the logistical efficiency of AerCap’s decentralized conversion strategy, reducing ferry times and regional friction for EMEA operators.
Photo Credit: AerCap
Route Development
Miami Airport Launches AI Cargo Community System in 2026
Miami International Airport deploys AI-powered ACCS, targeting $250M in savings and 2-hour truck turnaround reductions.
Miami International Airport (MIA) has launched an artificial intelligence-powered digital platform designed to streamline supply chain logistics, decrease traffic congestion, and reduce carbon emissions across its freight operations.
Announced on October 27, 2026, at The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) Air Cargo Forum in Miami, Florida, the deployment makes the facility the busiest cargo hub globally to implement an AI-driven communications platform. The Airport Cargo Community System (ACCS), developed in partnership with Kalé Logistics Systems, replaces fragmented, manual, and paper-based information exchanges with a centralized online portal for freight forwarders, cargo handlers, trucking companies, and ground handlers.
Operational and environmental targets
The ACCS was developed to address historical inefficiencies at the airport, where cargo trucks frequently arrived with limited advance information regarding arrival times and cargo types. According to the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, which operates the airport, this lack of data previously led to increased landside congestion, operational delays, and higher carbon emissions.
By creating a shared digital infrastructure, the platform connects the various stakeholders in the air cargo supply chain. Industry data indicates that full adoption of the system across the airport’s entire cargo operation could yield $250 million in annual operating cost savings. Additional projected benefits include a 15% savings in paper handling and an estimated average reduction of two hours in truck turnaround time.
Environmentally, the system has the potential to save 5,900 U.S. tons of carbon emissions through optimized routing and reduced vehicle idling.
“I am thrilled that MIA is now the busiest cargo hub in the world to leverage this cutting-edge technology. Most importantly, this is about making MIA more future-ready: simplifying and expediting the movement of goods through our global gateway, supporting the businesses and jobs that depend on international trade, and ensuring that our airport remains an industry leader not just in cargo volume, but also in efficiency and sustainability.”
The statement was provided by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in a press release issued today.
Integration with broader digital modernization
The launch of the ACCS follows a series of technology investments by Miami-Dade County aimed at modernizing the airport’s infrastructure. On April 20, 2026, the county unveiled an AI-powered hologram chatbot, deploying large-scale geo-aware, agentic AI across the digital infrastructure of the airport to assist passengers and streamline terminal operations.
In May 2026, the airport announced plans for a $33 million, 13,254-square-foot Airport Operations Center (AOC) and Digital Monitoring Hub. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the facility will feature AI-powered cameras and real-time digital tower technology to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency across the airfield and terminals.
Scaling the global cargo landscape
Miami International Airport is the busiest freight airport in the United States and the third busiest globally, trailing only Hong Kong and Shanghai. Its cargo ecosystem handles an average of 190 cargo-only flights and over 1,600 truck trips daily. In 2025, the airport processed a record 3.4 million U.S. tons of freight.
The technology provider for the new platform, Kalé Logistics Systems, develops cargo community and management systems utilized by ground handling companies at 125 airports and more than 75 maritime ports globally. The digital infrastructure established by the ACCS is intended to eventually connect the Miami hub with international partner airports, facilitating more transparent and efficient global trade routes.
AirPro News analysis
The Cargo aircraft industry has traditionally lagged behind passenger aviation in digital transformation, relying heavily on manual scheduling and siloed, paper-based documentation. By implementing a centralized community system, Miami International Airport is addressing the critical bottleneck of landside congestion that plagues major freight hubs. If the projected two-hour reduction in truck turnaround times materializes, we expect this deployment to pressure other major North American cargo airports to adopt similar integrated platforms to remain competitive in both operational efficiency and sustainability metrics.
Photo Credit: Miami International Airport
Route Development
Air Greenland Launches Copenhagen to Ilulissat Direct Flights
Air Greenland inaugurated direct widebody service to Ilulissat on Oct 29, 2026, completing Greenland’s three-airport expansion.
Air Greenland inaugurated direct widebody service between Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and Ilulissat International Airport (JAV) on October 29, 2026, marking the completion of a multi-year infrastructure project to modernize the territory’s aviation gateways.
The arrival of the flag carrier’s Airbus A330-800neo coincided with the official opening of Ilulissat’s new 2,200-meter runway and 5,000-square-meter terminal. According to a press release from Air Greenland, the new facility establishes Ilulissat as Greenland’s second international hub, enabling direct jet flights from Europe to the Disko Bay region and bypassing the historical transfer point at Kangerlussuaq.
Opening the gateway to Disko Bay
The Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority granted final approval for the new airport overnight before the October 29 opening, following months of inspections and testing. The new 2,200-meter runway replaces the previous 845-meter strip, allowing the facility to accommodate larger jet aircraft and handle increased passenger volumes.
“We can now welcome the first passengers at the new Ilulissat International Airport. We have been looking forward to this for years, and hundreds of people have worked hard so that we can now complete a historic expansion of Greenland’s infrastructure,” said Jens Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports.
The terminal design incorporates the local environment, prioritizing the passenger experience upon arrival at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord.
“The terminal is built for the place it stands in. From the moment you step inside, the building opens towards Disko Bay, and arriving passengers see the ice before they see anything else,” said Ole Damgaard, Airport Manager at Ilulissat Airport.
Air Greenland’s fleet transition and route expansion
The inaugural flight was operated by Air Greenland’s flagship Airbus A330-800neo, named “Tuukkaq.” Moving forward, the carrier will adjust its capacity to match seasonal demand. In November 2026, Jettime will begin operating the winter schedule between Copenhagen and Ilulissat using a Boeing 737-800.
Air Greenland is preparing to introduce its own narrowbody capacity on the route. The airline’s first Airbus A320neo, named “Unaaq,” was recently painted in Tallinn, Estonia, and flown to Oslo, Norway, for cabin installation. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in December 2026 and will enter commercial service on the Copenhagen to Ilulissat route in April 2027. During the peak summer season in 2027, Air Greenland plans to offer up to six weekly direct flights between the two cities.
Greenland’s strategic aviation overhaul
The opening of Ilulissat International Airport represents the final phase of a major infrastructure initiative initiated by the Greenlandic self-government. The project began with the opening of Nuuk’s new international airport on November 28, 2024, followed by a new regional airport in Qaqortoq in April 2026.
The primary objective of the expansion program was to reduce reliance on the former US military base at Kangerlussuaq as the territory’s main transit hub. By accommodating direct international flights at Nuuk and Ilulissat, travel times from Europe have been reduced to five to six hours.
The improved access is expected to attract additional operators to the region. Icelandair plans to connect Ilulissat with Keflavík International Airport (KEF) during the summer season starting in 2027.
Air Greenland has operated as a wholly owned entity of the Greenlandic Government since 2019, when Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and the Danish government sold their respective shares in the carrier. The airline operates a mixed fleet of fixed-wing aircraft and Helicopters to connect Greenland’s communities and provide international links.
AirPro News analysis
The completion of the Ilulissat runway fundamentally alters the air traffic architecture of the North Atlantic. For decades, Greenland’s aviation model relied on funneling international passengers through Kangerlussuaq before distributing them on a domestic network of turboprops and helicopters. By enabling direct narrowbody and widebody access to the Disko Bay region, Greenland Airports has removed a major bottleneck for tourism and cargo. We expect this shift will pressure Kangerlussuaq’s long-term viability as a commercial hub while testing the local infrastructure in Ilulissat as passenger volumes increase with the arrival of operators like Icelandair.
Photo Credit: Air Greenland
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