UK tourist travel warning for four countries in October - including Spain and Belgium

UK tourist travel warning for four countries in October - including Spain and Belgium
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UK tourists have been issued a warning over travelling to some popular holiday hotspots in October. European Union holiday and transport chaos is set to strike during the tenth month of the year, with strikes and disruption widely anticipated.

One of the most significant disruptions will occur on 1 October in Belgium, where a national strike is expected to cause severe problems at Brussels Airport. Security staff will walk out, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 80% of flights.

And it isn't the only problem Brits can expect. Air travellers will be faced with a range of issues from the start of October. Passengers impacted by these cancellations will be directly informed by their airlines, it has been confirmed.

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The issues could impact Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, Swiss and Lufthansa passengers and more.

Belgium

In Belgium, a national strike is scheduled for 1 October – with Brussels airport announcing no passenger flights will depart due to a walk-out by security staff. Managers say: “To ensure the safety of passengers and staff, the airlines, in consultation with Brussels airport, have decided not to operate any departing passenger flights on 1 October.

“The airlines are informing passengers directly of the cancellation of their flights. We ask passengers not to travel to the airport on 1 October. Arriving passenger flights may operate, but cancellations are likely. We advise all passengers who are scheduled to arrive at Brussels airport on 1 October to check the status of their flight with their airline or on our website.”

A Brussels Airlines spokesperson said: “Passengers whose flight is cancelled will be contacted by Brussels Airlines. The airline will offer an alternative flight schedule and will do its utmost to get everyone on their destination with the least possible delay. This can be a flight on an earlier departure date, a later date or the same day via another hub of Lufthansa Group.”

Spain

The international aviation group Opsgroup has issued a bulletin detailing various airport closures and operational disruptions. In Madrid, one of the airport’s four runways, 14R/32L, will be closed for repairs from 2 October to 12 November, reducing the airport’s movement capacity by about 25%.

Additionally, Opsgroup warns that Lebanon’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has introduced a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies aboard civil aircraft until further notice. With these disruptions on the horizon, air travellers are advised to plan ahead, check for flight updates, and consider alternative routes if necessary.

India

In Mumbai, the airport will be completely shut down from 11am to 5pm local time on 17 October for runway maintenance ahead of monsoon season. The airport will be completely closed from 11am to 5pm local time) on 17 October for pre-monsoon season runway maintenance.

Singapore

In Singapore, brief closures are scheduled for 8 and 16 October due to the annual military exercise Bersama Lima. The Opsgroup also warns: “Lebanon’s CAA has announced a ban on pagers and walkie-talkies aboard civil aircraft until further notice.”