Latest news with #AirAdvisor
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Glasgow tourists stranded as two major airports face 'near-total shutdown'
Glasgow holidaymakers have been left stranded after a nationwide strike in Belgium triggered a near-total shutdown at two major airports. Both Brussels and Charleroi airports were forced to suspend all outbound flights today, June 25, due to industrial action led by airport security staff protesting against government budget cuts and staff shortages. Estimates suggest the strike has grounded between 50 and 70 UK-bound flights, leaving between 9000 and 12,600 Brits stranded. READ MORE: Check out these 13 iconic Scottish words just added to the dictionary Glasgow Airport typically operates five to seven daily services—via codeshares or direct flights—to Brussels and Charleroi, all of which have been affected by the walkout. Experts at AirAdvisor have warned that the scale of disruption is significantly larger than usual, coinciding with peak summer travel planning and causing widespread difficulties for passengers. There are growing concerns about further disruption, with the possibility of more strikes throughout the peak summer months of July and August. Trade unions have indicated they may call further action every four to six weeks if their demands remain unmet, which could see an impact on 10% to 15% of summer bookings to Belgium. READ MORE: Oasis announce release of more tickets for reunion tour - Here's how to get yours The ripple effect of grounded flights may extend across the region, with potential knock-on delays at major neighbouring airports including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Frankfurt. Experts have warned that delays are expected and advised that if passengers face delays of more than five hours, travellers are entitled to either a replacement flight or a full refund at no extra cost. Airlines have already cancelled numerous services and are struggling to secure alternative flights for affected passengers. Cancelled flight passengers should be offered the choice of rebooking or a refund if they opt not to travel. The strike has also led to baggage handling delays due to a shortage of staff. The extensive disruption means missed connections are likely throughout the region. READ MORE: Oasis gives fans sneak peak at merch pop-up shops ahead of huge tour AirAdvisor has issued advice for Glasgow passengers impacted by the strike: Check flight status regularly via your airline's website or app. Utilise flexible booking options under airline change policies or travel insurance, which may cover losses between £150 and £1,200. Consider rerouting via alternative hubs such as Amsterdam (KLM) or Paris (Air France), though this may extend travel time by two to four hours. Keep all receipts for expenses and avoid booking tight layovers in affected regions. Check FCDO travel advice for updates on Belgium and monitor airline apps for real-time notifications. Contact customer service directly for rebooking, as other communication channels may face 24-hour response delays. Finally, AirAdvisor recommends that those planning trips to Belgium consider postponing travel until mid-July, when strike activity may subside.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow tourists stranded after strikes at Belgian airport
Both Brussels and Charleroi airports were forced to suspend all outbound flights today, June 25, due to industrial action led by airport security staff protesting against government budget cuts and staff shortages. Estimates suggest the strike has grounded between 50 and 70 UK-bound flights, leaving between 9000 and 12,600 Brits stranded. READ MORE: Check out these 13 iconic Scottish words just added to the dictionary Glasgow Airport typically operates five to seven daily services—via codeshares or direct flights—to Brussels and Charleroi, all of which have been affected by the walkout. Experts at AirAdvisor have warned that the scale of disruption is significantly larger than usual, coinciding with peak summer travel planning and causing widespread difficulties for passengers. There are growing concerns about further disruption, with the possibility of more strikes throughout the peak summer months of July and August. Trade unions have indicated they may call further action every four to six weeks if their demands remain unmet, which could see an impact on 10% to 15% of summer bookings to Belgium. READ MORE: Oasis announce release of more tickets for reunion tour - Here's how to get yours The ripple effect of grounded flights may extend across the region, with potential knock-on delays at major neighbouring airports including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Frankfurt. Experts have warned that delays are expected and advised that if passengers face delays of more than five hours, travellers are entitled to either a replacement flight or a full refund at no extra cost. Airlines have already cancelled numerous services and are struggling to secure alternative flights for affected passengers. Cancelled flight passengers should be offered the choice of rebooking or a refund if they opt not to travel. The strike has also led to baggage handling delays due to a shortage of staff. The extensive disruption means missed connections are likely throughout the region. READ MORE: Oasis gives fans sneak peak at merch pop-up shops ahead of huge tour AirAdvisor has issued advice for Glasgow passengers impacted by the strike: Check flight status regularly via your airline's website or app. Utilise flexible booking options under airline change policies or travel insurance, which may cover losses between £150 and £1,200. Consider rerouting via alternative hubs such as Amsterdam (KLM) or Paris (Air France), though this may extend travel time by two to four hours. Keep all receipts for expenses and avoid booking tight layovers in affected regions. Check FCDO travel advice for updates on Belgium and monitor airline apps for real-time notifications. Contact customer service directly for rebooking, as other communication channels may face 24-hour response delays. Finally, AirAdvisor recommends that those planning trips to Belgium consider postponing travel until mid-July, when strike activity may subside.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
12,000 passengers grounded as strikes trigger 'near-total shutdown' at two major airports
A nationwide strike is affecting up to 70 UK flights, including some from Scotland. A nationwide strike in Belgium today (June 25) has triggered a near-total shutdown at Brussels and Charleroi airports, grounding 50-70 UK flights, including many flying out of Scotland, and stranding between 9000 and 12,600 Brits . The walkout led by airport security staff protesting government budget cuts and staffing shortages has forced both airports to suspend all outbound flights today (June 25). From Edinburgh Airport there is a daily Brussels Air flight, while Glasgow Airport usually sees between five and seven daily flights via codeshares or direct services. Experts at AirAdvisor estimate that the strikes will affect between 50 and 70 flights from the UK and will impact between 9,000 and 12,000 passengers. And they said while strikes across Europe have become more common, the scale of disruption today is significantly larger, and it comes during peak summer planning, leading to more problems for travellers. There are also fears of more disruption for travellers with Belgium possibly seeing more strikes in the peak summer months of July and August. This could affect 10 to 15 per cent of summer bookings to the country. Unions have said they may call strikes every four to six weeks if the situation is left unresolved. Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert & Founder of AirAdvisor said: 'What makes this strike so problematic is that it disrupts the backbone of airport operations: security screening. "Unlike pilot strikes where airlines can sometimes operate reduced schedules, security strikes shut down entire terminals. For UK travellers, this means no flexibility, no fallback options, and no notice." They advise passengers to be prepared ahead of further action this summer. Anton said: "Book flexible fares, avoid same-day connections via Brussels or Charleroi, and build at least 24-hour buffers if your itinerary involves Belgian hubs. "From a legal standpoint, while airlines aren't obligated to pay compensation for these third-party strikes, they must still offer full refunds or alternative routes, and they're required to provide care, including food, transport, and overnight stays where necessary. "If your airline fails to meet these obligations, you have the right to escalate your claim." He also said: "Looking ahead, I strongly advise passengers to treat Belgium as a 'high-risk travel zone' for the next 4–6 weeks. "The same goes for Helsinki, which has been notorious for strikes this year. Until labour disputes are resolved, travellers should reroute through more stable hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris, where the chance of mass cancellations is significantly lower." AirAdvisor's has also offered advice for UK passengers: Check Flight Status: Use your airline's website or app for accurate and timely updates. Flexible Booking: Reschedule via airline change policies or use travel insurance to cover £150-£1,200 losses. Reroute Options: Consider flying via Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM (£150-£250, 1 hour) or Paris (CDG) with Air France (£200-£300, 1.5 hours), adding 2-4 hours but ensuring safety. Document all receipts, and avoid tight layovers in affected areas. Check FCDO travel advice for Belgium updates and airline apps for real-time changes. Contact customer service for rebooking, as other mediums report 24-hour delays in responses. Consider delaying Belgium trips until mid-July, when strikes may ease.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Airport chaos as EU strikes begin with 3 UK hubs affected and Brits 'stranded'
Up to 12,600 Brits could be left 'stranded' after a huge staff strike has forced two major airports to suspend all outbound flights for the day - resulting in a 'near-total shutdown' of the hubs Brits have been issued a 'major travel warning' after a nationwide strike has triggered a 'near-total shutdown' in a European hotspot. Two airports in Belgium (Brussels and Charleroi) are facing last-minute chaos over a staged walkout led by airport security staff, who are said to be protesting against government budget cuts and staffing shortages. The huge demonstration has forced both airports to suspend all outbound flights for the day - grounding up to 70,000 flights and 'stranding' up to 12,600 Brits. Experts over at AirAdvisor warn the disruption is 'significantly larger' than the scale of previous aviation flights - and will directly impact approximately 100 UK flights today (Wednesday, June 25). It has therefore urged all UK holidaymakers to check their flight status ASAP and consider reroute options. The air passenger rights company has used data from FlightRadar24's live schedule and OAG's 2025 summer projections to work out exactly which UK airports will be impacted by the strikes. For Brussels (BRU) - which receives around 60-70 daily flights from the UK - this includes: London Heathrow (LHR): 8-10 daily flights (British Airways, Brussels Airlines). Manchester (MAN): 2-3 daily flights (Brussels Airlines, Ryanair). Edinburgh (EDI): 1 daily flight (Brussels Airlines). Birmingham (BHX): 1 daily flight (Brussels Airlines). Other UK airports (e.g., Bristol BRS, Glasgow GLA) contribute 5-7 daily flights via codeshares or direct services. Charleroi (CRL), which is located south of Brussels, is mainly used by low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air. It receives around 40-50 daily flights from the UK, with major routes including: London Stansted (STN): 6-8 daily flights (Ryanair). London Luton (LTN): 2-3 daily flights (Wizz Air, Ryanair). Manchester (MAN): 1 daily flight (Ryanair). Other UK airports (e.g., Liverpool LPL, Bristol BRS) contribute 2-4 daily flights. "What makes this strike so problematic is that it disrupts the backbone of airport operations: security screening," Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert & Founder of AirAdvisor said in a statement sent to the Mirror. "Unlike pilot strikes where airlines can sometimes operate reduced schedules, security strikes shut down entire terminals. For UK travellers, this means no flexibility, no fallback options, and no notice." The expert advised Brits to book 'flexible' fares and avoid same-day connections via Brussels or Charleroi. From a legal standpoint, he says affected passengers must be offered 'full refunds or alternative routes' as well as paid-for food, transport and overnight stays where necessary. "Looking ahead, I strongly advise passengers to treat Belgium as a 'high-risk travel zone' for the next four to six weeks," Anton added. "The same goes for Helsinki, which has been notorious for strikes this year. Until labour disputes are resolved, travellers should reroute through more stable hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris, where the chance of mass cancellations is significantly lower."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
12,000 UK passengers stranded as staff strike at major European airports
12,000 UK passengers stranded as staff strike at major European airports Travel experts have warned the major delays seen today will be repeated Long queues at the airport A nationwide strike in Belgium today (June 25) has triggered a near-total shutdown at Brussels and Charleroi airports, grounding 50-70 UK flights and stranding 9000-12,600 Brits. The walkout led by airport security staff protesting government budget cuts and staffing shortages has forced both airports to suspend all outbound flights for the day. While strikes across Europe have become more common, the scale of disruption today is significantly larger, and it comes during peak summer planning, leading to more problems for travellers. Experts at AirAdvisor said Belgium may see more strikes in July and August, affecting 10-15% of summer bookings to Belgium. If unresolved, unions may call strikes every four to six weeks, affecting 5-10% of UK carriers' Belgium routes by 2026. Also, Amsterdam (AMS) may gain 5% market share as a Belgian alternative, with KLM adding AMS-LHR routes by September. Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor said: 'What makes this strike so problematic is that it disrupts the backbone of airport operations: security screening. Unlike pilot strikes where airlines can sometimes operate reduced schedules, security strikes shut down entire terminals. For UK travellers, this means no flexibility, no fallback options, and no notice. Article continues below "If you've booked flights into Belgium or through its airports this summer, your best protection isn't compensation, it's preparation. Book flexible fares, avoid same-day connections via Brussels or Charleroi, and build at least 24-hour buffers if your itinerary involves Belgian hubs. "From a legal standpoint, while airlines aren't obligated to pay compensation for these third-party strikes, they must still offer full refunds or alternative routes, and they're required to provide care, including food, transport, and overnight stays where necessary. If your airline fails to meet these obligations, you have the right to escalate your claim. "Looking ahead, I strongly advise passengers to treat Belgium as a 'high-risk travel zone' for the next 4–6 weeks. The same goes for Helsinki, which has been notorious for strikes this year. Until labour disputes are resolved, travellers should reroute through more stable hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris, where the chance of mass cancellations is significantly lower.'
