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
Commercial Aviation
ASL Aviation Holdings Buys Two Boeing 747-400ERF Freighters
ASL Aviation Holdings acquired two Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft on Aug 7, 2026, shifting them from leased to owned capacity in Europe.
ASL Aviation Holdings has finalized the purchase of two Boeing 747-400ERF freighters, transitioning the aircraft from leased assets to fully owned capacity within its European network.
In a press release issued on August 20, 2026, the Dublin-headquartered company confirmed that the acquisition formally closed on August 7, 2026. The aircraft are currently operated by subsidiary ASL Airlines Belgium and represent a strategic investment in the group’s long-haul cargo-aircraft capabilities.
Securing long-haul freighter capacity
The transaction involves two specific airframes already integrated into the ASL Group fleet. The acquired aircraft are Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 33516, registered as OE-IFB, and MSN 33945, registered as OE-IFD.
By purchasing these Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft, ASL Aviation Holdings shifts them from lease agreements to owned assets. The company stated that this move secures ongoing capacity for its shipping customers and supports the continued operation of its international air cargo platform without disrupting current flight schedules.
Global fleet development
The acquisition of the Belgian-operated widebodies follows recent growth initiatives in other global regions. On August 13, 2026, ASL Aviation Holdings announced the continued expansion of its regional presence and operations across Australia and New Zealand.
Both the Oceania expansion and the European widebody acquisitions are part of a broader group-wide fleet and network development strategy aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the global freight market.
AirPro News analysis
Purchasing previously leased aircraft is a conventional strategy for cargo operators looking to lock in capacity and control long-term operating costs. The Boeing 747-400ERF remains a highly capable platform with unique nose-loading capabilities, and replacement options in the current widebody freighter market are limited. We view this acquisition as a stabilizing move that guarantees ASL Airlines Belgium can maintain its current long-haul service levels without exposure to future lease rate fluctuations.
Sources: ASL Aviation Holdings
Photo Credit: ASL Aviation Holdings
Airlines Strategy
Icelandair Acquires 49% Stake in Maltese AOC for $686K
Icelandair Group acquired a 49% stake in a Maltese AOC holding company for USD 686,000 to expand EU operational flexibility.
Icelandair Group hf. has completed the acquisition of a 49% stake in a holding company controlling a Maltese Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for USD 686,000, securing a strategic foothold within the European Union regulatory environment.
The transaction, finalized on August 20, 2026, involves Fly Play Europe Holdco ehf., whose subsidiary holds the currently suspended Maltese AOC MT-85. The certificate was previously associated with the defunct Icelandic budget carrier PLAY, which ceased operations following its bankruptcy in September 2025.
Strategic expansion into Malta
In a press release issued on August 20, 2026, Icelandair announced the purchase from FPE hs., a fund managed by Isafold Capital Partners hf. The Airlines stated the acquisition is designed to increase operational flexibility and support the development of its primary hub at Keflavik International Airport (KEF).
The completion of the transaction remains contingent on reaching an agreement with the Transport Malta Civil Aviation Directorate (TMCAD) regarding the continued use of the certificate. Publicly available data from Transport Malta indicates that AOC MT-85 is currently suspended and has no Commercial-Aircraft registered to it.
Icelandair Group hf. CEO Bogi Nils Bogason outlined the company’s rationale in the official announcement.
“Acquiring a stake in a Maltese air operator certificate is primarily intended to increase operational flexibility, strengthen Icelandair’s competitiveness, and create new opportunities, all with the aim of supporting the continued development of our Keflavik hub and thereby safeguarding jobs and a strong operating environment for the Manufacturing industry in Iceland for the years to come,” Bogason said.
Origins of the AOC and future options
The Maltese AOC originally belonged to a subsidiary of PLAY. Following the budget carrier’s financial collapse in late 2025, creditors enforced security interests to recover the Maltese holding structure. Icelandair initially announced a Letter of Intent regarding the Acquisitions in April 2026 before finalizing the purchase in August.
As part of the agreement, Icelandair has secured options to increase its stake in Fly Play Europe Holdco ehf. at a later stage. The company utilized Arma Advisory as its financial adviser for the transaction.
AirPro News analysis
We view Icelandair’s move to secure a Maltese AOC as a calculated step to bypass the bilateral traffic right limitations inherent to its Icelandic registration. Malta has become a preferred jurisdiction for European operators seeking a flexible, EU-based Regulations environment. By acquiring an existing corporate structure rather than applying for a new certificate, Icelandair likely aims to accelerate its timeline for establishing a secondary European operating base, provided TMCAD approves the reactivation of the suspended certificate.
Sources: Icelandair Group hf.
Photo Credit: Fly Play Europe
Commercial Aviation
Saudia Group Signs Financing MoU for 144 Airbus Aircraft
Saudia Group, Saudi EXIM, and Crédit Agricole CIB sign MoU to finance 144 Airbus jets due for delivery through 2032.
Saudia Group, the Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM), and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (Crédit Agricole CIB) signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) on August 25, 2026, to arrange financing for the airline’s incoming fleet of Airbus aircraft.
The agreement, finalized on the sidelines of the French-Saudi Investment Roundtable in Paris, integrates international bank financing with Saudi national export credit instruments. According to a press release from the Saudi Press Agency, Crédit Agricole CIB will act as the financier and arranger, while Saudi EXIM will provide credit risk insurance to reduce exposure for financial institutions.
Fleet expansion and delivery timeline
The financing arrangement is designed to support Saudia Group’s substantial aircraft backlog. In May 2024, the company placed an order for 105 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, bringing its total Airbus orderbook to 144 jets.
The May 2024 order includes 12 Airbus A320neo and 93 Airbus A321neo aircraft. Saudia Group allocated 54 of the A321neos to its mainline operations. The remaining 51 aircraft, comprising 12 A320neos and 39 A321neos, are designated for its low-cost subsidiary, flyadeal. Deliveries for the 105-aircraft order are scheduled to occur between 2026 and 2032.
Strategic financial partnerships
The tripartite structure aims to broaden the pool of potential international lenders by mitigating risk through state-backed credit insurance. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic objectives to increase non-oil exports and enhance global connectivity.
Saudia Group Director General Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar highlighted the strategic nature of the agreement in a public statement.
“This MoU marks an important step in developing financing solutions that support Saudia Group’s growing fleet investments, while reflecting the continued advancement of national capabilities and instruments that enable Saudi sectors to access international sources of finance. We value this partnership with Saudi EXIM and Crédit Agricole CIB, which provides us with broader financing options to support our growth and expansion plans.”
Al-Omar also noted that diversifying financing sources strengthens the group’s flexibility in executing future investments and expanding network capacity.
AirPro News analysis
We view this financing structure as a pragmatic approach to managing the massive capital requirements of Saudia Group’s fleet modernization. By layering Saudi EXIM’s credit risk insurance over Crédit Agricole CIB’s financing, the airline group effectively lowers the risk profile for international lenders. While the specific aircraft models and total financial value covered by this non-binding MoU remain undisclosed, securing a reliable financing pipeline is critical as the airline prepares to absorb over 100 new narrowbody aircraft through 2032.
Sources: Saudia Group Press Release
Photo Credit: Saudia Group
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