Transport hit as Belgium holds a general strike

Public transport has been affected as Belgium holds its first general strike in more than six years in protest at austerity measures.

The unions say the planned cuts will reduce public services, and impose pension reform that forces people to work longer for less money in some cases.

Jan Van Der Cruysst, a spokesman at Brussels Airport, which remains open, estimated about 10% of flights would be disrupted.

Hans Van Den Berghe, one of the striking cabin crew, added that a retirement age of 65 was ''quite impossible''.