General Strike In Belgium Results In Cancellation Of Flights, Restriction Of Traffic

Belgium on Wednesday was paralyzed by a one-day general strike under the slogans of increasing wages and improving working conditions, and the situation has resulted in cancellation of flights and land transport restrictions

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th February, 2019) Belgium on Wednesday was paralyzed by a one-day general strike under the slogans of increasing wages and improving working conditions, and the situation has resulted in cancellation of flights and land transport restrictions.

According to transport services, Brussels Airport is totally closed for all flights, including from Moscow, from 21:00 GMT on Tuesday to 21:00 GMT on Wednesday. A total of 569 flights scheduled for the day of the strike have been cancelled. Management of the airport estimated the possible damage from the strike, which affected about 60,000 passengers, at 10-13 million Euros ($11.4-$14.8 million). The airport of the Belgian Charleroi is also closed, where all 120 flights, which were to transport up to 18,000 people, were cancelled.

Nearly half of all trains in Belgium did not leave depots due to the strike, but it did not affect the movement of trains connecting Belgium with France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.

As a result of the strike organized by three major unions CSC, FGTB and CGSLB, public transport in Belgian cities was restricted. Enterprises, schools, post offices were closed, while shops, shopping centers, medical facilities work in a weekend mode.

In Brussels, the passengers are served by only one of the four metro lines, six tram lines and three bus routes.