BRUSSELS (AFP) — Negotiators failed Monday to end a baggage handlers strike which badly affected flights at Brussels international airport, airport management said, paving the way for a second day of misery for travellers.
"Negotiations... are continuing painfully," the Brussels airport company said in a statement, after talks between management and representatives of the striking workers.
"The consequences of this action, even in the best-case scenario, will be felt tomorrow," the statement continued.
Most flights into and out of the airport -- which handles most international services in Belgium -- were cancelled, delayed or diverted to other airports throughout Monday.
While the airport company gave no precise figures, Belgian media reported that one flight in three was cancelled.
Belgium's Brussels Airlines, which drafted in extra workers, was one of the few carriers to get its planes off the ground.
All but one of its 200 scheduled flights took off, though with some major delays.
Other flights, both departing and incoming, were diverted towards Amsterdam, Liege and the Charleroi airport south of Brussels.
Passengers were sent in buses to the relevant airports, an airport spokesman said.
There was more inconvenience for some passengers who were unable to reclaim baggage already checked in at the airport.
Workers for Aviapartner and Flightcare, who handle baggage as well as ferrying passengers from planes to the terminal building, stopped work from late Sunday in protest over their working conditions.
Union representative Rik Vermeersch denounced the "anti-social policy" of their employers.
Some 25,000 passengers had been due to leave the airport on Monday with a similar number arriving.
Passengers were advised to contact the passenger information centre (+32 2 753 7300) before leaving for the airport.
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