This is the first strike that is expected to be extended to other European airports, as organisers say their grievances are shared across Europe, according to Publituris.

As a result, airlines have cancelled all flights in Brussels for that day, given the high likelihood of a total strike.

The unions are protesting because they say airports are in a race to the bottom and list the problems common to the sector: high pressure on staff to work more; poor maintenance of airport equipment, in some cases making working conditions difficult; lack of public transport or increased prices to get to the airport and lack of parking for workers; lack of services for airport employees; and lack of negotiations with employers, despite complaints from trade unions.

The trade unions complain that, in addition to this deterioration in working conditions, the profits of the Brussels Airport Company are increasing, which is another important complaint.