Maastricht Aachen Airport saves the day as Belgium strikes

For one day last month, cargo flights were redirected to Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) following the disruption that saw the aviation sector grounded in Belgium on February 13. MST stepped in to help minimise the impact of a series of scheduled strikes across Belgium that included air traffic control operators, handlers and security personnel.

The Netherland’s second largest air cargo hub welcome the cargo flights already scheduled, with MST prepared to manage further flights as demand required. National strikes across Belgium caused major disruption to cargo flights, with no flights planned to take off from or land at Belgian airports, including Brussels and Liège.

“We are proud of our team’s effort to prepare for situations like this and move so quickly to make sure our airport is prepared to operate passenger and cargo flights at short notice,” said Joost Meijs, CEO, Maastricht Aachen Airport.

“Our resilience and strong operational performance, we know, are reasons that we adapt to conditions and make sure we provide smooth operations and experience for the cargo carriers and passenger flights we welcome – our excellent location and transport links mean that disruption should be minimal for both passengers and cargo shipments.”

Labour relations within the European airfreight industry have been notably strained in recent times, with several significant disruptions impacting operations. These disruptions have stemmed from various factors, including disputes over pay, working conditions and broader economic challenges.

Strikes leading to major freight delays

In 2024, various industrial actions across Europe had direct implications for air cargo operations. For instance, in April 2024, French air traffic controllers staged strikes, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights and significant disruptions in air traffic across Europe. These strikes had a considerable impact on cargo flights, leading to delays and necessitating rerouting of shipments.

In October 2024, the