Flights grounded as Brussels Airlines pilots begin strike

Pilots at Brussels Airlines staged the first of two planned days of strikes over pay and conditions on Monday, grounding about 75% of the Belgian carrier’s flights. The pilots have announced they will strike on Monday and Wednesday after weeks of negotiations with the airline. Brussels Airlines said it regretted the action, which would affect more than 60,000 passengers booked on 557 flights into and out of Brussels on the two days. It listed 54 flights it would operate on Monday and 60 on Wednesday and said there were likely to be additions in the course of the day. Pilots want a pay increase, a better work-life balance, improved career prospects and the possibility of earlier retirement. Some 80% of them voted to strike. Union leaders have said some of the concerns relate to uncertainty over the future of the airline within Lufthansa.<br/>