Eurotoday – Around 100,000 Belgians are either preparing to depart or are returning from trips during a major travel strike on Monday, with thousands beginning their journeys as early as Sunday. The disruption is expected to cost the travel sector approximately €5.5 million, according to industry estimates. Many travelers still remain uncertain about alternate arrangements.
March 31 has proven to be a pivotal date for numerous travelers.
“That seems like a lot, but people travel all year round,” said Koen Van den Bosch, CEO of the Association of Flemish Travel Agencies (VVR).
He added, “Older people, singles, and couples without children don’t have to adhere to school holiday schedules. Newly blended families, as well, can travel during weeks when their children are not with them.”
Roughly 37,000 of the affected individuals are package travelers, forcing travel agencies to act swiftly to organize alternatives after the announcement that airports would close due to the strike. Many travelers opted to leave a day early, on Sunday, to avoid further complications.
How Is the Strike Costing Travel Agencies Millions?
The financial burden of an extra night falls largely on travelers, but travel agencies are bearing the brunt of all other additional costs. These include rearranged transfers and accommodations.
“If airlines reroute flights to the Netherlands, France, or Germany, it is up to the travel agencies to organize the necessary transfers,” Van den Bosch explained.
“There are also unforeseen costs at the destination, as transfers scheduled for Monday have already been paid for. Additionally, if travelers can’t depart until Tuesday, the lost night must be covered by us. Hotels and organizers at the destination don’t take into account that there is a strike here.”
According to the VVR, these cumulative expenses and logistical shifts amount to about €5.5 million across 600 travel agencies.
“This is already the third strike this year. Combined, they have cost us €16 million. This is still considered the low season—during peak travel times, the financial damage would be even more severe. It’s just not sustainable for our industry,” Van den Bosch stated.
Impact on Belgium’s Global Image
Beyond the economic toll, Belgium’s international image is taking a hit.
“The effect on Belgium’s reputation among international travelers is significant,” Van den Bosch noted.
“We receive feedback from our foreign colleagues—Belgium is at times mockingly called the national society of strikes. This has to stop.”
Many travelers, upon booking their tickets, remain dependent on the airline’s response. Most airlines have already announced cancellations and offered alternative routes.
Student Travel Disruptions Highlight Airline Delays
Among those caught in the uncertainty are final-year students from Site-A in Aarschot. The group was originally scheduled to fly to Malaga and Barcelona on Monday. However, the airline initially failed to cancel their flight, heightening confusion and anxiety. The situation wasn’t clarified until Friday afternoon, when the students learned they would now need to fly out of Amsterdam instead.
Eurotoday will continue monitoring the developments surrounding the strike and its ongoing ramifications for travelers and the broader travel industry.
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