An estimated 7,3000 Ryanair flights could be disrupted
16:53, 09 Aug 2026Updated 16:54, 09 Aug 2026
Ryanair flights will be on hold(Image: rparys via Getty Images)
A prominent European airport serving millions of Ryanair and Wizz Air travellers is preparing to shut its doors for nearly three months as part of a massive £43million (€50million) infrastructure overhaul. Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Belgium’s second-largest airport and the nation’s principal base for budget carriers, will cease operations entirely from August 15, 2028 through to October 31, 2028.
The facility is scheduled to reopen on November 1, 2028, following an 11-week shutdown that will enable engineers to undertake what’s been termed the most significant infrastructure scheme in the airport’s history.
The extensive works are necessary because Charleroi Airport functions with a single 3,200-metre runway, meaning flight operations cannot proceed while reconstruction takes place.
Airport officials explained the runway has reached the conclusion of its operational life following roughly 40 years without comprehensive reconstruction.
Instead of conducting years of nocturnal maintenance, authorities have opted to close the airport for 11 weeks enabling the scheme to progress without interruption, with operations continuing day and night.
The refurbishment will encompass reconstructing the complete runway, replacing drainage infrastructure, updating airfield illumination, taxiway markings and additional safety apparatus.
Passenger terminal zones and aircraft parking bays will likewise receive improvements throughout the closure to prevent additional disruption going forward.
The shutdown is anticipated to significantly affect passengers, with Charleroi Airport processing 11.2 million visitors throughout 2025. The closure is anticipated to impact more than two million passengers.
Ryanair is set to bear the brunt of the disruption. The low-cost airline handles over 80% of all traffic at Charleroi and runs approximately 660 to 670 departures weekly to 114 destinations spanning more than 26 countries. The carrier also maintains a permanent base of over 10 aircraft at the airport.
Wizz Air, the airport’s second-biggest operator, will likewise face considerable disruption. It runs around 45 to 50 departures per week, connecting up to 16 destinations throughout Central, Eastern and Southern Europe.
Combined, Ryanair and Wizz Air represent nearly 95% of the airport’s yearly passenger numbers. Industry analysts suggest that upwards of 7,300 Ryanair flights and more than 500 Wizz Air flights could face disruption throughout the 11-week closure period.
Additional carriers flying from Charleroi, including Pegasus Airlines, Air Corsica and Volotea, are also expected to experience disruption while the works take place.