Belgian Charleroi Airport cancels flights amid strike

A major airport in Belgium was forced to close and cancel all departing flights until Wednesday, following a strike staged by the contracted security agency's staff.

Report informs, citing foreign media, that five police officers present at were injured on Tuesday after passengers tried to forcefully enter the the Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Xinhua news agency reported.

The strike began on Monday following disputes between the workers' unions and the airport group BCSA Security.

It caused heavy disruptions, leading to cancellation of all flights departing from the airport.

However, arriving flights have not been affected.

Several airlines have decided to divert their flights departing from Belgium to Brussels Zaventem Airport.

Located about 45 km south of the capital, Brussels South Charleroi Airport is Belgium's second-largest airport.

It mainly serves budget airlines, in particular Ireland's low-cost carrier Ryanair.