The Skeyes air traffic controllers’ unions have suspended, with immediate effect, the night strike actions at Brussels South Charleroi Airport. The decision was taken on Wednesday morning, 23 September 2026, to allow negotiations on night premiums to resume under the coordination of a mediator. The conflict, which led to the cancellation of dozens of flights every day, concerns aligning the night premium of controllers in Charleroi with that received by their colleagues in Liège, in the context of the transition to the digital control tower in Namur.

Air traffic controllers at Skeyes, Belgium’s air navigation service provider, suspended the night strike actions at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The announcement was made by trade unionist Lennert Mervilde (VSOA/SLFP) to the Belga news agency, and the decision took effect immediately.

“We are giving dialogue a chance”

According to Mervilde, the representative unions agreed to open negotiations on the night allowance for air traffic controllers in Charleroi, with the support of a mediator. “In order for these negotiations to take place in a calm atmosphere, we are suspending the strike with immediate effect,” he said. “We hope that Skeyes will also seize this opportunity and that the new round of negotiations will lead to an agreement supported by all parties, so that social peace can be restored.”

Background to the conflict: night premiums and the digital tower in Namur

The social dispute stems from differences between the night premiums of air traffic controllers in Charleroi and those of their colleagues in Liège. As the digital control tower in Namur is expected to take over air traffic management for the airports of Charleroi and Liège in the future, controllers in Charleroi are asking for their night premium to be aligned with the level received by controllers in Liège. Negotiations between the unions and management broke down at the beginning of the previous week without an agreement, triggering the protest actions.

The night strike and its impact on flights

Since 16 September, air traffic controllers at BSCA had been on strike every night between 22:00 and 08:00. The industrial action, which had been scheduled to continue until 10 October, led to the cancellation of dozens of flights every day, both departures and arrivals, affecting thousands of passengers and airlines operating at Charleroi Airport.

Reactions from the parties involved

Immediately after the unions’ announcement, Skeyes management issued a statement saying it “welcomes the suspension of the actions at Brussels South Charleroi Airport”. The company said it “will fully participate in the mediation and work, under the guidance of the social mediator, to find a sustainable solution”. Skeyes also “regretted the significant consequences of the actions for passengers, airlines, the airport and its staff and partners”.

Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) had proposed on Tuesday, 22 September, resorting to external mediation to unblock the social conflict. The proposal was accepted by the unions, leading to the immediate suspension of the strike.

What happens next?

The suspension of the strike does not mean that an agreement has already been reached. Negotiations will take place under the coordination of the mediator, and the unions hope that Skeyes will put forward an acceptable proposal. If the talks fail, the protest actions could resume. For now, passengers with flights scheduled from Charleroi Airport can hope for a gradual return to normal as the situation stabilises.

(Staff: Belgium / Transport & Social)