Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has cancelled a total of 120 flights to and from Charleroi Airport this weekend as a result of a strike organised by its pilots.
As announced earlier this month, Ryanair pilots in Belgium are on strike on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July after the company failed to make a serious proposal on pilot salaries. More than 80% of pilots stationed at Charleroi Airport are reportedly taking part in the strike action.
The airline cancelled 120 flights at the so-called Brussels South Airport in Charleroi this weekend, with 62 being cancelled on Saturday – up from the 44 cancelled flights confirmed on Thursday – and 58 Sunday. "We regret these strike actions, which are beyond our control, and apologise for the inconvenience they have caused," the airport noted on its website.
Both the airline and the airport notified passengers affected by cancelled flights within 48 hours before departure, so the situation can be better managed, Fransens explained.
In the early hours of Saturday, the terminal of Charleroi Airport was still quiet. Hervé Fransens, general secretary of Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) said not a single passenger from a cancelled flight came to the airport.
Passengers flying to and from Charleroi have been told to check the status of their flights, as not all flights leaving or arriving here this weekend will be affected. People whose flights are cancelled later in the day or on Sunday have been asked not to come to the airport.
What to do after a cancelled flight
As was the case during previous strikes, Ryanair is legally required to offer an alternative flight free of charge. If an alternative is unsuitable, passengers have the right to demand a refund of their tickets, while travellers whose flights have been cancelled due to staff strikes are also entitled to compensation, as flights were cancelled less than two weeks before passengers' departure.
The EU 261 regulation stipulates that – unless there is a case of “force majeure” or “exceptional circumstances” (such as bad weather or an air traffic control strike) – travellers have a right to an alternative flight or a refund as well as compensation if the flight is cancelled.
Depending on the distance of the flight, passengers will be given €250, €400 or €600 in compensation, which must cover other costs incurred by the traveller, such as overnight stay booked separately from the flight ticket and any cancellation costs. This compensation can be claimed directly via the Ryanair website.
Credit: Belga
"We know that it is not always easy to find out how to claim additional compensation, and that it can take a long time to get it, but it is important to know your rights and to insist on receiving what you are owed", insists Test Achats spokesperson Julie Frère.
The consumer organisation is also making its 0800 29 510 helpline available to passengers (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 18:00).
Travellers who booked parking through the airport's official website can request a refund here, or can. change their dates up to five minutes before their scheduled arrival time. Those who have booked a fast track through security or a space in the airport lounge can go to the same link and request a refund.
What is the strike about?
Last year, the airline's cabin crew and pilots stationed in Belgium repeatedly went on strike during busy periods (summer holidays and Christmas) to protest against the maltreatment of staff, poor working conditions and the refusal to pay minimum wage.
This weekend, Ryanair pilots in Belgium are protesting against the cancellation of a collective agreement on working and rest times – which is against the law, according to the pilots' representative. Unions last week submitted an ultimatum to the Irish low-cost airline's board, but this failed to result in a deal.
Now that the airline is making profits again, pilots are also demanding a wage restoration after giving up 20% of their pay during the Covid-19 crisis to help Ryanair weather this situation.
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In recent days, there have been several meetings between the pilots’ representatives and the airline regarding these issues, but they all came to nothing. Unions warn they can continue campaigning until the Covid collective agreement expires in October 2024.
"We have been trying in vain for six months to engage in dialogue with Ryanair, but to no avail. So now we have to pull the emergency brake," Hans Elsen of the Christian union ACV Puls told VRT earlier this week.
