A Ryanair flight from Porto, Portugal, was grounded on Tuesday morning at Belgium’s Brussels South Charleroi Airport after a bomb threat was reported while the aircraft was still in the air.
The incident led to an immediate suspension of all airport operations as authorities rushed to secure the scene.
In a statement, the airport confirmed that a “bomb threat was triggered” shortly before 11 a.m. Emergency services quickly established a 500-metre security perimeter around the aircraft, forcing the closure of the runway and halting both incoming and outgoing flights.
The affected plane, carrying 166 passengers, was moved to a remote section of the airport while local police and emergency teams conducted thorough checks.
Passengers have been instructed to remain onboard until security services give clearance for evacuation.
Nathalie Pierard, a spokesperson for Brussels South Charleroi Airport, told The Brussels Times that while it’s unclear how long the disruption will last, the threat coincided with a quieter time of day for flights, meaning fewer travelers are likely to be affected.
“The police are currently on-site managing the situation. The passengers will be allowed to leave the aircraft once the police deem it safe,” Pierard added.
Charleroi Airport, located just south of Brussels, serves as a key hub for budget airline Ryanair and handles a significant number of European routes daily.
Authorities have yet to confirm the nature or credibility of the bomb threat, and investigations are ongoing.
The airport assured the public that updates will be shared as soon as more information becomes available.
