A number of travellers reportedly tried to force into at Charleroi Airport (BSCA) around 05:00 on Tuesday morning as the Security Masters (the contracted security agency) staff are continuing their action.
Despite Charleroi Airport CEO Philippe Verdonck assuring that operations will return to normal on Tuesday after Monday's security strike, security staff continue their action. Passengers took it upon themselves to force entry, several union representatives reported.
The strike by security staff led to chaos at the airport on Monday. Travellers could not get on their scheduled flights and after 16:00 the airport closed to all departing passengers.
Police reinforcements
Security Masters staff are unhappy with BSCA's decision to assign passenger security checks to two operators instead of one. Staff fear the decision will impact their job security and pay conditions.
According to the unions, passengers tried to force the gates to the pre-check on Tuesday morning upon arriving and not being able to enter due to the strike. Police reportedly sent reinforcements to the scene.
Politie heeft net eerste groep in luchthaven toegelaten. De menigte groeit echter sneller…
Communicatie @CRL_Airport nul!#charleroi #Airport #airportcharleroi pic.twitter.com/Bbpxh2J4In — Christophe Vercarre (@Christ_Vercarre) October 18, 2022
Tweet translation: Police just admitted first group to airport. However, the crowd is growing faster… Communication @CRL_Airport zero!
Security Masters staff did go to the airport on Tuesday morning but are not currently working.
