Belgian airline passengers faced chaos yesterday as the country’s air traffic controllers walked out on a wildcat strike. Planes were grounded and some inbound flights were forced to land in neighbouring countries as airspace was effectively closed for eight hours. Although the sudden walkout was planned to last for 24-hours, emergency negotiations between the air traffic controllers and Belgocontrol resulted in the demonstration being cut short.

It has not been made immediately clear why the traffic controllers decided to stage the walkout; although a member of the union CSC, Bernadette Guillemeyn, allegedly said it was to do with dissatisfaction with management. A spokesman for Belgocontrol, Belgium’s air security organisation, said although pilots were warned beforehand, no formal warning was issued to management.

Although representatives of the unions agreed to meet with management before the strikes went ahead, the walkout could not be avoided; and management are said to be furious that no adequate reason was given for the action.

Belgocontrol bosses have been under increasing financial pressure since last year’s accounts revealed 5 million euro’s worth of losses. Belgocontrol has issued an apology to all passengers who have found themselves disrupted because of the walkout. The organisation has also apologised to airports and airlines for the strike.

Charleroi airport, a southern hub for a number of budget airlines, has experienced delays on services across Europe and to Africa. A number of carriers have been forced to land in Lille, just across the border with France. Many passengers across Belgium have found themselves seeking out alternative forms of transport.