Flight Suspension at Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Belgium's Brussels South Charleroi Airport will completely cease flight operations for 11 weeks beginning on August 15, 2028, through October 31, 2028, to rebuild its sole runway. The cost of the project is estimated at roughly €50 million. Data from the statistical agency Statbel shows that the airport handled 11.2 million passengers in 2025. According to Politico, the shutdown could affect more than 2 million travelers.
The infrastructure company SOWAER, which manages Wallonia's airport development, plans to install a replacement runway with a projected service life of 25 years. A joint decision to proceed with the work in 2028 was reached back in November 2024. Wallonia's Minister of Airports, Cécile Neven, has stated that the upgrades are essential for improving the airport’s infrastructure.
Challenges and New Opportunities for Travelers
The SETCa union, which represents airport employees, has expressed concerns about the upcoming changes. Union representative Alain Geulens noted:
Despite numerous questions from the unions, a great deal of uncertainty still remains. — Alain Geulens
In addition, a new international train service from Przemyśl to Frankfurt am Main will launch on August 1, 2028, providing convenient connections for passengers. The train will stop at several cities, including:
- Bad Schandau
- Weissenfels
- Naumburg (Saale)
- Apolda
- Gotha
- Eisenach
- Hanau
- Offenbach
- Prague
- Ostrava
Ukrzaliznytsia is offering transfers to this service from trains that run to Przemyśl from Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and Odesa.
The planned work at Brussels South Charleroi Airport and the introduction of the new international train are both aimed at improving the region's transportation infrastructure, though the closure is expected to cause significant inconvenience for travelers during the affected period. While the runway reconstruction is a critical step toward ensuring safer and more modern aviation services, careful planning will be needed to minimize the impact on passenger traffic. The new train route could also serve as an alternative for travelers seeking ways to move around during the airport's closure.
As the Charleroi Airport prepares for its significant closure, travelers will need to explore alternative routes. One promising option is the new overnight train service from Przemyśl to Frankfurt, set to commence on August 1, 2028. This service aims to enhance connectivity for those affected by the airport's temporary shutdown, providing a reliable means of travel during this period of transition.