Latest news with #CharleroiAirport
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Dramatic moment police storm Ryanair jet after bomb threat forces major Belgian airport to suspend flights and set up security perimeter
Police dramatically marched onto a Ryanair plane after a hoax bomb threat forced Belgium's second largest airport to suspend a number of flights today. Shocking footage shows officers storming onto the jet as panicked passengers dart their gaze in several directions amid the commotion. As police hurried towards the back of the aircraft at Charleroi Airport, worried travellers stood from their seats whilst others raised their phones. A series of flights were suspended at Belgium's second largest airport after 'a bomb threat was triggered' on a landed jet at around 11am local time (9am GMT). A security perimeter was set up around the aircraft, meaning the runway had to be closed and operations were paused. Belgian prosecutors have since confirmed they were informed by Interpol 'that the report was in fact a hoax.' Amid the chaos, a separate angle showed a Ryanair passenger sitting on the plane whilst specialist cops dressed in all-black gear stood outside. Travellers alighted the plane, gathering their baggage while police officers and sniffer dogs inspected and combed the plane as well as the surrounding area. Flights eventually resumed at around 1.45pm (12.45GMT) that same day, Ryanair later confirmed. Charleroi Airport, located in the south of France, is a major European hub for low-cost airline Ryanair. In 2023 alone, the airport served over nine million passengers, both arriving and departing, offering flights to 200 destinations across the globe. Earlier today, a Ryanair spokesperson said: 'Ryanair was informed of a security threat on flight FR6313 from Faro to Brussels Charleroi today, 13th May. 'The aircraft landed normally at Charleroi as planned. 'Passengers have been disembarked and the aircraft is being prepared for return to service. We sincerely apologise to any passengers affected.' The terminal was not evacuated, as it does not fall within the 500m perimeter. Nathalie Pierard, an airport spokesperson, told The Brussels Times this morning: 'The plane has been moved to a separate area of the airport. 'The runway and the main road behind it are closed, and a security perimeter of 500 metres has been set up. 'The police are on the scene and the 166 passengers will be evacuated from the plane once approved by the police. 'It is currently unclear how long the disruption will last.'
Malay Mail
13-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Bomb threat grounds all flights at Belgian airport
BRUSSELS, May 13 — Operations at Belgium's second largest airport were suspended today due to a bomb alert on an aeroplane, the company running the airport said. Shortly before 11.00am (5pm Malaysia time) 'a bomb threat was triggered' on board an aircraft that landed at Charleroi Airport, said a spokeswoman for its operator. 'A security perimeter was established around the aircraft, requiring the closure of the runway and the suspension of operations,' the spokeswoman told AFP. 'The relevant authorities have taken over.' Charleroi, south of Brussels, is a major European hub for low-cost airline Ryanair. — AFP
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Ryanair plane 'bomb threat': Jet 'taxis 500 metres from Brussels airport terminal and flights are suspended following alert'
Operations at Belgium's second largest airport were suspended on Tuesday due to a bomb alert on a Ryanair plane, the company running the airport said. Shortly before 11.00am local time (9.00am GMT) 'a bomb threat was triggered' on board an aircraft that landed at Charleroi Airport, said a spokeswoman for its operator. 'A security perimeter was established around the aircraft, requiring the closure of the runway and the suspension of operations,' the spokeswoman told AFP.
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
European holiday horror as 200 flights cancelled due to issue 'that won't be fixed any time soon'
Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport have cancelled all flights on Monday, March 31, due to a national strike in Belgium. Here's everything you need to know about the travel chaos Hundreds of flights to and from Belgian airports have been cancelled today. The disruption is largely centered on Brussels Airport and Brussels Charleroi Airport due to strike action across the country. The knock-on impact across the Continent is significant, with Brussels Airlines cancelling 30% of its services today to destinations in Spain, France and several other countries. Industrial action by workers at Brussels Airport and Brussels Charleroi Airport has forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights from the Belgian capital's key air travel hubs. Analysis of live fight tracking data from FlightAware by AirAdvisor suggests that as of 8am UK BST on Tuesday 29 April, 105 flights with Brussels Airport as their origin or destination have been cancelled. Brussels Airport is Belgium's largest airport and key international hub. A further 113 due to depart from or arrive at Brussels Charleroi have been cancelled. This comes after Charleroi Airport, which usually connects travellers with Manchester and Edinburgh airports announced that it would cancel all departing flights today due to there not being enough staff "to run operations in complete safety', according to a statement on its website. AirAdvisor warned that the "issue between unions and the government doesn't look like being resolved any time soon." The company's CEO, Anton Radchenko, said: 'On 10 February, Brussels Airport was forced to ground all departures scheduled on the day due to strikes. Another round of industrial action took place on 31 March, cancelling hundreds of flights set to depart the country. Early indications suggest that this latest round of industrial action is having a similar effect on Belgium's travel infrastructure and it doesn't look like the issue is going to be resolved any time soon.' The action is being led by the General Labor Federation of Belgium and the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions, which represent handling and security staff at both airports. The unions are protesting against government policies that they believe will force people to work more hours for worse pensions and stagnating wages. Anton continues: 'If you were due to travel to or from Belgium today and your flight has been cancelled you have a number of options. Firstly, reach out to your airline and seek a replacement flight to your intended destination, which they are obliged to provide you with. This could be with a different airline from or from another airport - or both. 'If you have decided that you want to cancel your trip, you are entitled to a refund equivalent to the value of the price of your ticket. It's very likely that today's events will have a domino-effect on flights tomorrow and potentially the day after too, as both airports may not be able to double daily capacity to accommodate postponed flights from today. 'If you're due to travel later in the week, you may wish to re-book for a few more days' ahead when the situation should have resolved itself.'
Euronews
28-04-2025
- Euronews
Travel update: Brussels Airport cancels 30% of flights amid nationwide strike
ADVERTISEMENT Airports in Belgium are bracing for major service disruptions tomorrow, Tuesday 29 April, amid a nationwide strike of both private and public sector workers. Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport have warned travellers to expect cancellations and delays, particularly for departing flights. The walk-out has been organised by Belgian trade unions CVC/ACV and FGTB/ABVV to protest against government reforms affecting pensions, working conditions and wage regulations. Brussels Airport strike: 30 per cent of departing flights cancelled The industrial action is expected to severely impact security and baggage handling at Brussels Airport in Zaventem on Tuesday. Belgium's main flight hub announced that it has requested airlines to limit operations in preparation. At least 30 per cent of departing flights have already been cancelled. 'Significant disruption is expected throughout the day,' the airport has warned. Official advice for passengers is to check flight status updates regularly and prepare for possible delays or last-minute changes. Arriving flights are expected to run on schedule, although the airport says modifications may occur as the situation develops during the day. A spokesperson added that further departing flights may be scrapped depending on how the industrial action develops over the next 24 hours. Brussels Airlines cancels 70 flights Brussels Airlines, which is based at the airport, will be most affected by the strike. The carrier has already scrapped around 70 flights on Tuesday. Passengers are being notified via email and should receive guidance on rebooking or claiming a refund through a dedicated online portal. 'This process takes several hours, as we aim to offer travellers alternative solutions immediately - such as rebooking on a different flight or routing via another airport,' Brussels Airlines spokesperson, Nico Cardone, said. Charleroi Airport cancels all departing flights Charleroi Airport (BSCA) will also feel the impact of the strikes. It has scrapped all departing flights on Tuesday, citing insufficient staff "to run operations in complete safety", according to news site Brussels Times. The latest updates are that arriving flights should not experience major disruption, although passengers are advised to monitor updates in the run-up. Passengers should plan for public transport disruptions Travellers have also been warned to leave plenty of time for journeys to airports in Brussels. Public transport across the city will be disrupted by the strikes, with train, metro, tram and bus services all affected. ADVERTISEMENT "We will do everything in our power to ensure at least part of the service, and will inform passengers in real time about the situation on the network," public transport operator STIB/MIVB said. Related Symbol of a connected Europe: Eurostar's drive for reinvention amid Brexit, competition and strikes Europe's travel strikes: Flight and train disruption you can expect in 2025 Brussels Airport advises passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure for Schengen destinations and three hours for non-Schengen flights. The transport hub has urged passengers to follow updates on official communication channels and monitor airline websites closely. 'We are doing our utmost to minimise the inconvenience for our passengers , but given the national scope of the strike, disruption will be unavoidable,' the airport added. ADVERTISEMENT Nearby airports may experience knock-on effects of the strikes as flights are re-routed or passengers book alternative routes.
