Operation at Airport Temporary Suspended After Bomb Alert, Runway Closed

• Operations at Charleroi Airport were temporarily halted on May 12 following a bomb alert on a Ryanair aircraft, triggering heightened security measures
• A 500-metre security perimeter was established around the plane, leading to runway closures and passenger evacuations
• Air traffic resumed after authorities confirmed safety protocols, with Ryanair issuing an apology to affected travellers

Operations at Charleroi Airport, Belgium’s second-largest airport, were temporarily suspended on May 12 following a bomb alert on a Ryanair plane.

Authorities swiftly responded to the security threat, implementing safety measures that disrupted air traffic.

At 11am local time (9am GMT), a bomb threat was triggered on board a Ryanair aircraft that had landed at Charleroi Airport, according to a spokeswoman for the airport’s operator.

In response, a security perimeter of 500 metres was established, leading to the closure of the runway and suspension of operations.

However, the airport terminal remained operational as it fell outside the designated restricted area.

Ryanair confirms security incident

Charleroi Airport, a key European hub for low-cost airline Ryanair, was significantly affected by the incident.

A spokesperson for Ryanair confirmed the threat involved flight FR6313 from Faro to Brussels Charleroi, which landed safely as scheduled. Passengers were subsequently disembarked while security personnel assessed the situation.

Police response and passenger evacuation

Nathalie Pierard, a spokesperson for Charleroi Airport, provided updates on the security operation, stating that the affected aircraft was relocated to a separate area of the airport.

Authorities closed the runway and a main road, while police on the scene prepared for the evacuation of 166 passengers pending clearance.

Air traffic resumes after bomb alert

Air traffic operations at Charleroi Airport resumed at 1.45pm (12.45 GMT) after authorities secured the scene.

The impact of the disruption was relatively minimal, as the incident occurred during an off-peak flight period, limiting the number of passengers affected.

Ryanair expressed its apologies to passengers impacted by the security measures, ensuring that the aircraft was being prepared for its return to service.

About Belgium

Belgium, located in Western Europe, is a small yet influential country known for its rich history, diverse culture, and political significance.

It is home to Brussels, the de facto capital of the European Union, and hosts key international institutions. Belgium has three official languages—Dutch, French, and German—reflecting its regional diversity.

The country is famous for its medieval towns, stunning architecture, and culinary delights, including waffles, chocolate, and beer.

With a strong economy driven by trade and industry, Belgium plays a vital role in global commerce.

Several people killed as plane crashes in Philippines

Legit.ng earlier reported that four people lost their lives when a plane crashed into a rice field in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, in the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, February 6.

As reported by Brigada, preliminary information from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) showed that all four passengers may have been foreign nationals.

The aircraft went down in Barangay Malatimon, damaging nearby property. A buffalo sustained injuries in the crash, but no other civilians were harmed, according to Azərbaycanca.

Source: Legit.ng