Trade unions have expressed their concerns about both the airport’s future and the impact on employees.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport will temporarily suspend all flight operations (Image: Getty)
A major European airport is all set to suspend all flight operations for 11 weeks. Brussels South Charleroi Airport is carrying out some major infrastructural upgrades including major reconstruction work on its only runway. Touted as Belgium’s second-busiest airport, it is expected to shut air traffic between August 15 and October 31 next year. The airport said it would work closely with all parties involved “to plan these projects, identify operational constraints and manage their impacts.”
The airport said: “A complete refurbishment of Charleroi airport’s sole runway (which has an estimated lifespan of 25 years), together with other major infrastructure modernisation works, has been scheduled by [airport infrastructure company] SOWAER for the second half of 2028.”
Belgium’s second-busiest airport is expected to halt air traffic for 11 weeks (Image: Getty)
“To minimise the overall duration of the disruption, the various construction projects will be carried out simultaneously,” the airport added, noting that “this will require a temporary suspension of air traffic during the works.”
The latest figures from Belgian statistical office Statbel show that 11.2 million passengers departed from or arrived at Charleroi airport in 2025, meaning an 11-week closure could affect more than 2 million passengers, Politico reports.
Belgian public broadcaster RTBF reported that the works will cost around €50 million (approx £42 million).
The airport added: “These investments are intended to ensure the airport’s long-term safety, operational performance and attractiveness.”
Trade unions, however, have expressed their 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 [the Walloon organisation responsible for managing infrastructure and spatial planning around the Liège and Charleroi airports] 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.”