Europe

Strike action continues at bomb-damaged Brussels airport

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Passengers walk with their luggage on the main road to Zaventem Airport in Brussels on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. A wildcat strike of air traffic controllers has paralyzed Brussels airport after their guild rejected a compromise aimed at solving a conflict over a pension reform. The strike action comes at a time when traffic was already reduced at the airport in the wake of the March 22 attacks. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) (The Associated Press)

Passengers and cars stand at a roadblock on the main road to Zaventem Airport in Brussels on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. A wildcat strike of air traffic controllers has paralyzed Brussels airport after their guild rejected a compromise aimed at solving a conflict over a pension reform. The strike action comes at a time when traffic was already reduced at the airport in the wake of the March 22 attacks. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) (The Associated Press)

Belgian air traffic controllers continued strike action on Wednesday, forcing the cancellation of flights at Brussels airport as it struggles to get back up to capacity after the March 22 suicide bombings.

Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines said that around 50 of its flights to and from the main international Zaventem airport were canceled.

The strike action over pensions and staffing has been brewing for months but the stoppage came without warning Tuesday afternoon as controllers called in sick, saying they were unfit to work.

The International Air Transport Association condemned the move, calling it "a kick in the teeth for all the airline and airport staff who have worked so hard to reconnect Brussels to the world after the appalling terrorist attack just three weeks ago."