- Charleroi shuts completely from 15 August 2028, reopening 1 November 2028 (11 weeks).
- The reason is a full €50 million rebuild of the single 3,200-metre runway, plus drainage and lighting renewal.
- Ryanair carries more than 80% of Charleroi’s passenger traffic and is the airline most affected; it’s separately trimming its Charleroi-based fleet for unrelated tax reasons.
- Some routes are expected to move to Brussels Airport (Zaventem) or Liège Airport during the closure; others may simply pause for the 11 weeks.
- Flying through Belgium in Aug–Oct 2028? Compare Zaventem alternatives on Wego now and check back for Charleroi-specific fares closer to the date.
When and why Charleroi is closing
Charleroi’s single runway shuts completely on 15 August 2028 and reopens on 1 November 2028, an 11-week closure confirmed by BSCA, the airport’s operator, and SOWAER (Société Wallonne des Aéroports), the Walloon body that manages the airport’s infrastructure on behalf of the region that owns it.
The runway is 3,200 metres long and hasn’t had a full renovation in roughly 40 years, so its pavement, drainage, and lighting are overdue for a complete rebuild.
Nicolas Thisquen, president of SOWAER’s management committee, said crews will “go deep into the runway to ensure stability for 20 to 30 years.”
Because Charleroi has only one runway, there’s no way to keep any flights moving while it’s rebuilt, so a full shutdown is the only option.
What the works actually involve
The runway project itself is priced at roughly €50 million.
- Runway pavement: full reconstruction of the 3,200-metre surface.
- Drainage: a complete system upgrade to handle water runoff.
- Lighting and markings: full renewal of runway lights and surface markings.
BSCA separately opened a new €5 million security screening building in April 2026, expanding from 9 to 14 lanes.
That passenger-experience upgrade was completed well ahead of the runway closure and isn’t part of its budget.
Every runway-related project is grouped into one continuous 11-week window rather than spread across several years of night and weekend closures, to limit the overall disruption.
Who’s affected
Ryanair is Charleroi’s dominant carrier and will feel the closure most.
The airline runs its largest Belgian base at Charleroi and carries more than 80% of the airport’s passenger traffic.
Wizz Air, Pegasus Airlines, Air Corsica, and Volotea also fly from Charleroi and will need to adjust their schedules for the closure period.
Charleroi is Belgium’s second-busiest airport.
It set a passenger record of about 10.5 million in 2024, then a new record of roughly 11.2 million in 2025, so this closure affects a genuinely large number of travelers.
What happens to your flight during the closure
Airlines simply can’t fly into or out of Charleroi at all between 15 August and 31 October 2028, so every route needs a workaround.
Liège Airport has said it’s ready to take on transferred low-cost and holiday routes during the closure.
Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is also expected to pick up some redeployed flights, since it’s Belgium’s main hub and stays open throughout.
Other point-to-point routes may simply pause for the 11 weeks rather than move, and unions have flagged uncertainty over whether every destination comes back once Charleroi reopens.
If you already hold a booking in that window, treat it as provisional for now: airlines typically confirm rebooking, refund, or airport-transfer details only closer to the disrupted dates.
What to do if you’re flying through Belgium in Aug–Oct 2028
Compare flights to Brussels (Zaventem) on Wego now if your dates fall in the closure window, since Zaventem runs normally throughout and stays Belgium’s main hub.
Charleroi itself won’t show 2028 results yet on Wego or any flight search. Ryanair, like most airlines, doesn’t confirm schedules this far out — it typically releases a new season only months before departure, so that’s normal, not a sign of a problem.
If you’d normally book Ryanair’s Charleroi–Barcelona route, for instance, Zaventem already serves Barcelona daily through Vueling and Brussels Airlines, so it’s a workable fallback to compare on Wego for the same dates.
Search again closer to 2028 once Charleroi’s own dates open for booking, and check its fares directly at that point.
Already holding a Ryanair booking that could be affected? Start with Wego’s Ryanair flight-cancellation guide for the general refund and rebooking process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Charleroi airport closing in 2028?
Its single 3,200-metre runway needs a complete rebuild. It hasn’t had a full renovation in about 40 years, and SOWAER, the Walloon body that manages the airport’s infrastructure, says the works are needed to guarantee stability for the next 20 to 30 years.
What are the exact closure dates?
Charleroi is fully closed from 15 August 2028 through 31 October 2028, an 11-week shutdown with no flights operating at all. It reopens on 1 November 2028.
Will my Ryanair flight be cancelled or moved to another airport?
It depends on the route: some Ryanair flights are expected to redeploy to Liège or Brussels Zaventem, while others may simply be suspended for the closure period. Airlines usually confirm the details closer to the date, so check your booking again nearer 2028.
Can I still fly to Belgium during the closure?
Yes. Brussels Airport (Zaventem) and Liège Airport both stay open and are expected to absorb some of Charleroi’s traffic, so Belgium remains reachable by air throughout the 11 weeks.
How much does the closure cost, and what work is being done?
The runway project costs roughly €50 million and covers the pavement rebuild, a drainage upgrade, and new lighting and markings. BSCA separately spent about €5 million on a new security screening building that opened in April 2026, ahead of the closure.
Sources
- RTBF — Dans 2 ans, l’aéroport de Charleroi fermera pendant plusieurs mois
- VRT NWS — Ryanair withdraws 5 aircraft from Charleroi due to hike in air passenger tax
- ch-aviation — Brussels Charleroi to close in 2H28 for runway repairs
- Travel Tomorrow — Brussels Charleroi Airport to close for months in 2028 for major runway reconstruction
- Air Journal — Charleroi-Bruxelles Sud à l’arrêt total durant 11 semaines en 2028
- The Brussels Times — Charleroi Airport posts 10.5-million-passenger record
- Ryanair Corporate News — Ryanair to operate full Charleroi summer 2026 schedule & grow traffic by 9%
- Travel Extra — Ryanair to cut five aircraft from Charleroi base
- Brussels South Charleroi Airport — new security facilities (official)
- FlightConnections — Brussels (BRU) to Barcelona (BCN) flight schedule, Vueling and Brussels Airlines daily service
- EUalive — Charleroi Airport to shut for 11 weeks in 2028 for major runway rebuild
- Aviation24.be — Charleroi Airport unveils new security facility to ease passenger flow ahead of summer rush
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
