According to the airport spokeswoman, Nathalie Pierard, 300 travellers spent Thursday night at Brussels-Zaventem airport.

She confirmed that the strike led to the termination of 100 departing and arriving flights mainly at Ryanair.

“Friday is one of the busiest days of the autumn. A total of 47,000 passengers are due to leave today,” Pierard said.

The strike comes at the time when Belgium is starting school holidays and the end of Netherlands holidays.

Baggage handlers were demanding for a higher pay.

“Failure to meet previously made agreements by the management in combination with the high workload, not respecting breaks, … have the bucket.