United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Brussels International Airport as Belgium faces a nationwide strike on May 12, 2026. The strike, involving security and ground handling staff, is expected to result in hundreds of flight cancellations and widespread delays. In anticipation, United is offering flexible rebooking to minimize passenger disruption.
Brussels Airport Prepares for Major Strike Impact
The strike at Brussels Airport is set to drastically reduce flight operations on May 12. Authorities expect fewer than 50% of departing flights to operate. Brussels Airport has stated that while it will attempt to run as many flights as possible, the day will be far from normal. Charleroi Airport, another key Belgian airport, has canceled all flights for the day.
Brussels Airport stated that it is working with airlines and partners to manage the situation. Their goal is to reduce excessive wait times while maintaining safety. However, they warned that, at best, only about half of all departing flights will proceed.
Belgium has experienced multiple strikes since early 2025. This marks the ninth time that air travel has been disrupted due to labor action. These strikes often reflect broader disputes between unions and the government.
United Airlines Extends Rebooking Options for Brussels Flights
United Airlines is taking proactive measures to support passengers traveling to Brussels. The airline’s travel alert includes flexible rebooking for flights scheduled on May 11 and May 12, 2026. Passengers with tickets purchased on or before May 4 can reschedule their flights without incurring change fees or fare differences. Rebooking must be in the same cabin and between the same cities, with the new travel dates between May 8 and May 15.
United is ensuring that affected travelers have options to adjust their plans ahead of time, helping them avoid last-minute stress.
Recent Flight Delays Due to Weather
While the Brussels disruption is strike-related, United Airlines has also faced recent weather-related delays. On Wednesday, the carrier experienced delays on 20% of its flights, mainly due to snowstorms in Colorado. Denver International Airport saw over 300 flight delays, representing about 32% of its departures. Despite this, United’s delays were fewer than those of some competitors.
On that same day, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines each experienced more delays than United.
Ongoing Travel Alerts at Other International Airports
While United is actively managing the Brussels strike, the airline also has other travel alerts in place. These include alerts tied to weather events, such as recovery efforts in Saipan due to ongoing challenges in that region.
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