Flight operations at Charleroi Airport were abruptly suspended on Tuesday following a bomb threat aboard a recently landed aircraft, prompting an immediate and large-scale emergency response.
The alarm was raised shortly before 11:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), as the aircraft touched down at Belgium’s second-busiest airport. “A security perimeter was swiftly established around the plane,” a spokesperson for the airport operator told AFP, confirming that all flight movements were halted and the runway temporarily closed.
Emergency protocols were activated, with passengers and crew safely evacuated. Federal police and bomb disposal units were deployed to examine the aircraft and surrounding area. The nature of the threat remains undisclosed, and authorities have yet to confirm its credibility.
Located about 50 kilometers south of Brussels, Charleroi Airport serves as a key hub for budget airlines such as Ryanair and sees millions of travelers pass through annually. Tuesday’s disruption caused significant delays and forced the diversion of incoming flights.
As of press time, no casualties have been reported. Authorities continue to assess the situation, with normal operations expected to resume once the aircraft and airport premises are deemed secure.
The incident underscores the persistent risks facing global transportation networks, even amid reinforced post-pandemic security protocols.
