Charleroi Airport Faces 11-Week Shutdown
Brussels South Charleroi Airport will suspend all flights while its only runway is rebuilt and several infrastructure projects are completed at the same time. The shutdown will affect Belgium’s second-busiest airport, widely used by low-cost carriers serving Brussels and cities across Europe. Airport management says the work is necessary to keep operations safe and reliable during the runway’s next estimated 25-year service life.
Charleroi Closure Dates and Details
- Airport: Brussels South Charleroi Airport
- Closure: 15 August–31 October 2028
- Duration: 11 weeks
- Flights: All arrivals and departures suspended
- Reason: Complete runway refurbishment and other infrastructure works
- Estimated cost: Around €50 million
- Potential impact: More than two million passengers
- Airline arrangements: Cancellations and alternative airports not yet confirmed
The closure is expected to affect more than two million journeys, based on the airport’s recent annual passenger figures. Airlines have not yet explained whether services will be cancelled, moved to Brussels Airport or transferred elsewhere. Ryanair and Wizz Air are among the main carriers using Charleroi, so their 2028 schedules will need substantial changes once operational plans are agreed.
Brussels itself will remain accessible through Brussels Airport and direct Eurostar trains from London. Trains from Brussels Airport reach the city centre in around 16 minutes, so visitors can still plan trips around the Grand-Place, museums and onward Belgian rail journeys. The closure may make rail a more attractive option for short city breaks, especially for travellers who would otherwise use Charleroi only because of a cheaper fare.
The closure is still two years away, and airlines have not yet published detailed arrangements for affected routes. The key moment will come when late-summer and autumn 2028 schedules go on sale. Check the airport code before booking, avoid non-refundable transfers until the operating airport is confirmed, and compare the full cost of any replacement route rather than assuming a familiar Charleroi service will return unchanged.
