BRUSSELS, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Air traffic controllers at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) announced a series of overnight strikes starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday (2000 GMT), with 44 flights canceled between Wednesday night and 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) Thursday, the airport said.
The industrial action will run to Oct. 10, with air traffic controllers stopping work from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. each night. The flight cancellations are expected to affect more than 7,000 passengers.
Belgian air navigation service provider Skeyes said the strikes could affect about 832 flight movements, including 487 in the morning and 345 at night. It also warned that if aircraft cannot return to Charleroi overnight, the first departures the following morning could also be disrupted.
Local media reported that although the strike was scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Wednesday, some outbound flights were canceled earlier in the day because their corresponding return flights were due to land at Charleroi after 10 p.m. Ryanair canceled 14 outbound flights and 14 corresponding return flights on Wednesday.
The strike came after disputes over compensation for night work. Unions say air traffic controllers at Charleroi receive no specific compensation for night shifts and are seeking better conditions, but Skeyes has rejected the demand. The two sides have held several rounds of talks since late July but failed to produce an agreement.
BSCA said the internal labor dispute at Skeyes has affected passengers, airlines, airport staff and other businesses operating at the airport, while also hurting economic activity in Wallonia.
The airport called on Skeyes management and workers' representatives to resume talks and find a solution. It also advised passengers to check their flight status with airlines before traveling to the airport.
