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As many as 16,000 passengers are affected (Image: Getty)
Hundreds of British passengers have been left stranded after a major European airport was forced to cancel all departures.
Flights are currently grounded at Brussels South Charleroi Airport today, with around 16,000 passengers affected.
The chaos has been caused by ongoing strike action, leaving flights to several UK airports cancelled.
Ryanair, one of the major airlines operating at South Charleroi, said they will refund and reroute passengers caught up.
The following flights have been cancelled:
- FR5328 12:30pm to Manchester
- FR7323 2:35pm to Edinburgh
- FR3223 6:25pm to Manchester
- FR3239 8:55pm to Manchester.
Strike action is disrupting services at the airport. (Image: Getty)
Rynair said in a travel alert on their website that, "Due to another security staff strike at Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) Airport, we have been forced to cancel a number of flights departing this airport on Tues 22 Oct.
"Flights arriving in Brussels South Charleroi are unaffected by the strike and will operate as scheduled. Passengers affected by these cancellations have been notified of their options of reroute or refund via email.
The carrier added that it "sincerely apologises to affected passengers for any inconvenience as a result of this strike, which is beyond Ryanair’s control and affects all airlines operating to/from Brussels South Charleroi on Tues 22 Oct."
Flights to the airport from Edinburgh and Manchester are expected to still be running, The Sun reports.
Wizz Air and Pegasus also fly to the airport but UK passengers won't be affected. People due to arrive at the airport on Tuesday are advised to check the status of flights with their airline.
The airport said it would do its 'utmost to restart operations normally and safely from Wednesday' (Image: Getty)
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Brussels South Charleroi said in a statement on its website: "Due to an action of the security sector on Tuesday 22 October 2024 and the lack of staff to ensure security operations, all departing flights from Brussels-Charleroi on Tuesday 22 October 2024 have been cancelled.
"The safety of passengers and staff cannot be guaranteed. Passengers due to depart on that day will be contacted within the next few hours by their airline to book a new flight or get a refund.
"All arrivals at Charleroi airport will be maintained. Passengers are invited to contact their airline to confirm their flight.
"Brussels South Charleroi Airport apologises for the inconvenience and will do its utmost to restart operations normally and safely from Wednesday 23 October 2024," the airport added.
Today's industrial action is the third walkout at the country's second-busiest airport in less than two months, Politico reports.
The previous strikes were held on September 12 and October 1.
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