A nationwide strike in Belgium on Monday, sparked by opposition to potential pension reforms, severely disrupted air and rail traffic, with many schools remaining closed.
Nearly half of the flights at Brussels airport were canceled as ground staff, including luggage handlers and security personnel, joined the strike. Meanwhile, the national train operator NMBS announced it would be running only a limited number of trains across the country.
Public transportation in Brussels was also significantly affected.
Schools were shut down, and tens of thousands of teachers were expected to participate in a national rally in Brussels to protest pension reforms, which are currently under discussion among parties negotiating the formation of a new government after the June 2024 election.
The talks to form a government have been stalled for months, with the five parties involved unable to reach an agreement on government finances and the controversial pension reforms.
