All airports in Belgium will be shut today (Thursday) due to a national transport strike.
Bus and rail services will be “severely limited” throughout the entire country during the industrial action, the Foreign Office warned in a travel alert.
However, Eurostar services remain unaffected on February 13.
Unions plan to strike on the 13th of every month until further notice.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: “There will be a national transport strike in Belgium on 13 February. All Belgian airports will be closed on 13 February.
“Monitor local news and check with your travel provider regarding potential delays.”
Brussels airport warned passengers that Belgian airspace will be closed from 6.45 am to 10.15pm local time due to the national demonstration and a strike by air traffic controllers.
“Airlines will contact passengers of affected flights directly and inform them about the options. We ask to not come to the airport that day,” an airport advisory said. “We regret the inconvenience caused by this union action.
“Due to the rescheduling of many passengers, we expect a very busy day at Brussels airport on Friday.
“We recommend to come to the airport in time and to check our online tool or our app to know at what time to arrive for your flight.”
Brussels Airlines warned that the action was expected to have an impact on handling companies at Brussels airport.
“The airport authorities have asked Brussels Airlines to cancel a significant number of flights,” the carrier added.
All flights at Charleroi airport, used by budget carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air, have been cancelled due to a national demonstration planned in Brussels “and the lack of staff present to ensure safe operations”.