Luxembourg Times
Max Helleff
03 June 2025
Belgium’s big aviation success story is flying through turbulent times
The airport is currently applying for a new environmental permit to govern its activities for the next 20 years, aiming to increase capacity to 16 million passengers by 2045. The number of flights would also increase under the plans, from 66,000 to 83,000 per year, while the airport would maintain its existing opening hours of 06:30 to 23:00.
Although the regional government in Wallonia has given its backing to plans to develop the airport, it is likely to face opposition and appeals from certain quarters to the expansion project.
Behind the prosperous façade lies organisational turbulence. In April 2025, the board of directors decided to part company with Philippe Verdonck, the CEO for the past six years, without providing any detailed explanation.
And on Monday 02 June 2025, Christophe Segaert was announced as the new head of the airport.
The problems don't stop there. Last February, European services tested the effectiveness of the airport’s security checks, which are imposed on all EU airports to ensure that no weapons, explosives or drugs pass through.
The results were poor, with two highly critical reports ranking Charleroi among Europe’s worst performers.
Charleroi airport faces organisational crisis and safety problems | Luxembourg Times | 03 Jun 2025
