Charleroi Airport (Hainault – Wallonia) is set to close completely for a period in the second half of 2028, whilst major renovation work is carried out on its sole runway Francophone news platform Sudinfo reports. Airport operator BSCA has confirmed the news. The closure will last several months and is already causing concern amongst staff and trade unions.
The airport confirms that this involves “construction work of historic proportions”. In addition to the complete refurbishment of the runway, which has a lifespan of around 25 years, other modernisation works are also planned.
To minimise disruption, several projects will be carried out simultaneously. This does mean, however, that air traffic will be completely at a halt during that period.
“These investments are necessary to guarantee the airport’s safety, performance and appeal in the long term,” the airport authorities say.
A sensitive time
The work comes at a sensitive time for the airport after Irish budget airline Ryanair announced the redeployment of 5 aircraft away from its Belgian hub citing Belgian tax policy.
According to trade union representative Alain Goelens, the Walloon government has no clear strategy for the airport’s future. “What guarantees are there that all destinations will be back up and running after the reopening? And what about the wages of employees who will be laid off temporarily? Despite questions put by the trade unions, there is still a great deal of uncertainty.”
Walloon Airports Minister Cécile Neven (Francophone liberal MR) has responded to the trade union’s criticism on Sudinfo. She emphasises that preparations have been underway for some time. “The company responsible for managing the infrastructure and spatial planning around Liège and Charleroi airports (SOWAER) and Charleroi Airport have been studying the runway renovation for years,” says her office. “In November 2024, a joint decision was taken on how the work will be organised in 2028.”