Major European airport served by Ryanair and Wizz Air set to close for 11 weeks

One European airport is closing temporarily in 2028 (Picture: Getty Images) In 2024, Brussels South Charleroi Airport served more than 10 million passengers. But for much of 2028, no one will be passing through the terminals. That’s because it’ll be closing for almost three months – during the summer holidays, no less, between August 15 and October 31. The travel hub, which is the second largest airport in Belgium and serves both Brussels and nearby Charleroi, is getting a major runway upgrade. The 3,200-metre runway will be completely resurfaced, a move which is understood to come at a cost of €50 million (£42.8 million). Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Ryanair has a base at Charleroi, and it currently operates flights to the likes of Tirana, Vienna, Sarajevo, Sofia, Zagreb, Prague, and Barcelona. Wizz Air also flies from there, including to the likes of Skopje, Warsaw, Bucharest, Budapest, and Pristina, while Air Arabia and Air Corsica offer seasonal flights to Oujda, Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari. In 2024, the busiest route was to Bucharest in Romania, taken by 343,858 people, followed by Tirana, Bergamo, Budapest, and Manchester. Ryanair has a base at Charleroi Airport, as does Wizz (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) However, there’s no direct flight through to London, which is served by Brussels Airport, operated by both Brussels Airlines and British Airways. According to reports in The Sun, all existing flights will need to be diverted, though there’s currently limited information on the interim plans. Trade unions are reportedly unhappy with the plans, as many are questioning whether the closure means all routes currently operating in and out of Charleroi will return afterwards. Other airports, like London Heathrow, operate a strict use-it-or-lose-it policy, which means airlines are required to maintain at least 80% of their take-off and landing slots if they want to keep them. This rule is in place for a number of reasons, mainly so the airport can minimise congestion. Airports are subjected to strict ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ regulations (Picture: Getty Images) The policy was waived during the pandemic, when countless airlines were unable to fulfil slots due to the lockdown and the resulting drop in demand. Since Charleroi Airport is also in the EU, it comes under the same use-it-or-lose-it regulation, which is European Commission policy. However, there are certain exceptions to the rule, which typically include when either a specific airport or an airspace is closed, rendering the possibility of fulfilling the 80% quota impossible. A spokesperson for Charleroi Airport told Metro: ‘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 SOWAER for the second half of 2028. ‘These investments are intended to ensure the airport’s long-term safety, operational performance and attractiveness. ‘To minimise the overall duration of the disruption, the various construction projects will be carried out simultaneously. This will require a temporary suspension of air traffic during the works. ‘We are currently working closely with all stakeholders to plan these projects, identify operational constraints and manage their impacts.’ Charleroi isn’t the only airport closure that’s been announced this year. Last month, Coventry Airport in the West Midlands closed its doors. It was once a handy hub for travellers in the local area, with Wizz Air flying to various European destinations, including Poland and Italy, until 2008. Its runway was even graced by none other than Pope John Paul II back in 1982, who flew in via helicopter from Coventry. The runway will be getting a major revamp (Picture: Getty Images) But in recent years, things have been a little quieter, as the airport was only served by the Air Ambulance Service and private charter flights, which is what led it towards closure after 90 years of service. Meanwhile, for a period of time, Alderney Airport was the first – and only – airport in the Channel Islands. Built in 1935, the neighbouring islands were only connected by air when Jersey Airport opened in 1937 and Guernsey in 1939. Earlier this year, it was announced the airport would be closing to make way for a considerable revamp to the runway. At the moment, it measures 877 metres, and while the work will keep this length, it’ll widen it by five metres, from 18 to 23. Our Top Shopping Picks Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin The taxiway will be resurfaced, and the lighting systems updated so that planes will be able to fly in poor weather conditions without much disruption, as is currently often the case. Talk about a glow-up, hey? Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Why flying can be so hard on your body and what to do about it Arrow MORE: Forget Nice – there’s an underrated French seaside town Brits haven’t found yet Arrow MORE: Martin Lewis has good news if you’ve had a flight cancelled in the last 6 years The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.