Brussels Airport expects about 140 cancelled flights on Friday, October 9, because of the national demonstration by the unions ABVV and ACV against federal policy (Paris Match Belgique, Econostrum, Déplacements Pros). The problem is that ground handler Alyzia has fewer staff; Alyzia serves 21 airlines and at Brussels Airlines it concerns about 40% of flights. Aviapartner would not be affected for now. The MIVB expects a heavily disrupted network, the NMBS advises consulting the journey planner. According to VRT NWS, 4 in 10 De Lijn buses and trams are not running. The socialist education union ACOD is also announcing actions in schools on Friday and on Monday, October 12. The direct trigger for the protest is the drawing up of the budget.
It is an expression of resistance to the government’s policy, which is looking for 10 billion euros. It falls in the middle of the budget talks and ahead of the State of the Union on October 13.
Anyone who has to travel on Friday or take a child to school must allow for cancelled flights and disrupted public transport. If a flight is cancelled, you are entitled to information from the airline about rebooking or a refund.
The unions say the government’s measures mainly hit workers and want to increase the pressure on the talks.
The government points to the need to find at least 10 billion euros by 2029. DailyDrop saw no new statement from the prime minister.
A strike costs money and goodwill, but the real question is what it achieves in the budget talks. Watch the turnout at the demonstration and the reaction of the coalition partners close to the unions.
Paris Match Belgique, Econostrum, Déplacements Pros, VRT NWS (Oct. 6–7, 2026)
Society · UnionsPress ✓ 4 outlets · figures according to Brussels Airport and carriers
National demonstration Friday: about 140 flights cancelled at Brussels Airport, 4 in 10 De Lijn buses and trams not running
The ABVV and ACV are protesting against the policy of the De Wever government, with the drawing up of the budget as the direct trigger. On Monday, October 12, actions in schools follow.
Brussels Airport expects about 140 cancelled flights on Friday, October 9, report Paris Match Belgique, Econostrum and Déplacements Pros. The cause is that the ground handler Alyzia has fewer staff because of the national demonstration by the unions ABVV and ACV against the measures of the federal government. Alyzia serves 21 airlines; at Brussels Airlines it concerns about 40% of flights. Aviapartner, the other ground handler, would not be affected for now.
Public transport is disrupted too: the Brussels MIVB expects a heavily disrupted network and the NMBS advises travelers to consult the journey planner, which is updated about 24 hours in advance. According to VRT NWS, 4 in 10 De Lijn buses and trams are not running. The socialist education union ACOD announces actions in schools on Friday and on Monday, October 12; the direct trigger is the drawing up of the budget. DailyDrop has not yet seen official turnout figures.
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By the numbers
±140flights cancelled at Brussels Airport
4 in 10De Lijn buses and trams not running
21airlines served by Alyzia
Liège police counted 53 arrests on Tuesday, October 6, 7 of them judicial and 46 administrative. Since Thursday, October 1, the total is 107 arrests: 27 judicial and 80 administrative (La Libre, L’Avenir). Al Jazeera writes that more than a hundred people were rounded up or detained. On Monday 18 officers were lightly injured; the police used tear gas and water cannon. The pupils are protesting against the rising cost of education, overcrowded classes, a lack of materials and a measure that requires teachers in the last three years of secondary school to teach 22 hours in front of the class instead of 20. According to BX1, witnesses complain of police violence; the police say rioters had mixed in among the demonstrators.
The protests have grown into a matter of public order and education policy at the same time. The large share of minors among the people arrested makes the matter sensitive.
Parents in Liège and the surrounding area must allow for unrest and school closures. Anyone who comes near the protests is best advised to follow the police’s instructions.
The pupils and their teachers point to cutbacks and workload in French-language education.
The police say rioters mixed in among the demonstrators to vandalize, and that they have to maintain order.
The numbers are growing, but the cause is still education policy. As long as the minister responsible does not answer the demands, the street remains the place of debate. Watch for an official reaction from the region and for how many of the arrested minors are prosecuted.
La Libre, L’Avenir, Al Jazeera, BX1, Paris Match Belgique (Oct. 6–7, 2026)
Society · EducationPress ✓ 5 outlets · figures according to Liège police and media
Pupil protests in Liège: already 107 arrests since October 1, 53 on Tuesday alone
Liège police counted 53 arrests on Tuesday, October 6, 7 of them judicial and 46 administrative. Since Thursday, October 1, the total is 107 arrests: 27 judicial arrests and 80 administrative arrests, report La Libre and L’Avenir. Al Jazeera writes that more than a hundred people were rounded up or detained in total; the sources differ on what exactly counts as an arrest. On Monday 18 officers were lightly injured; the police used tear gas and water cannon.
The pupils are protesting against the rising cost of education, overcrowded classes, a lack of materials and a measure that requires teachers in the last three years of secondary school to teach 22 hours in front of the class instead of 20. Paris Match Belgique explains that the movement spilled over to Belgium after the French example. In Brussels, witnesses complain of police violence, according to BX1; the police say rioters had mixed in among the demonstrators. DailyDrop could not verify that independently.
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Word of the day
Administrative arrestLawTemporary detention by the police to maintain public order, without a criminal investigation. It usually may not last longer than 12 hours.