Air traffic control strike closes 2 main Belgian airports, thousands of passengers stranded

Air traffic strike closes 2 airports in Belgium

BRUSSELS — A wildcat strike by air traffic controllers closed down Belgian airports Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

More than 100 flights were canceled at Brussels International airport Tuesday afternoon as workers went on strike to protest internal personnel moves. The Belgocontrol company, which manages air traffic, said Belgium’s civil airspace will be closed until Wednesday afternoon.

The action has no backing from the trade unions.

“Whatever their request may be, to strike 24 hours, to block the country, to have passengers waiting for planes, families having problems, business having problems … to see the airlines which have been for months in an economic recession to have more pain, it is unreasonable,” said Belgocontrol spokesman Guy Visele.