Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Belgium's second-busiest airport, will suspend all flight operations for 11 weeks to carry out major infrastructural upgrades, including reconstruction of its only runway.
Closure dates and scope
Air traffic will be halted between August 15 and October 31, 2028, according to the airport. The complete refurbishment of the sole runway, which has an estimated lifespan of 25 years, along with other infrastructure modernisation works, has been scheduled by airport infrastructure company SOWAER for the second half of 2028.
To minimise the overall duration of the disruption, the various construction projects will be carried out simultaneously, requiring a temporary suspension of air traffic during the works, the airport added.
Passenger impact and cost
Data from Belgian statistical office Statbel shows that 11.2 million passengers used Charleroi airport in 2025, meaning an 11-week closure could affect more than 2 million passengers, according to Politico. Belgian public broadcaster RTBF reported that the works will cost around €50 million (approx £42 million).
The airport stated: "These investments are intended to ensure the airport's long-term safety, operational performance and attractiveness."
Union concerns and response
Trade unions have expressed concerns about both the airport's future and the impact on employees. SETCa representative Alain Goelens said: "What guarantees are there that all destinations will return after reopening? And what about the wages of employees who are temporarily laid off? Despite questions from the unions, there remains a lot of uncertainty."
Walloon Minister of Airports Cécile Neven responded to the unions' criticism by stressing that preparations have been under way for some time. Her office said: "SOWAER and Charleroi Airport have been studying the runway renovation for years. In November 2024, a joint decision was made on how the works in 2028 will be organised."
