European Airports Announce 2028 Closures for Runway Upgrades

Two European aviation hubs have announced scheduled closures for runway reconstruction in 2028, affecting millions of passengers and several budget carriers.

Almería Airport in Spain will close for six days in February 2028 as part of a 19-month, €29 million renovation project. This represents the first major runway work at the facility in 20 years. The total shutdown will cancel all flights, heavily impacting British travelers who make up 55% to 70% of the airport's annual traffic. Carriers including Ryanair, easyJet, and Iberia have been notified. Additional renovation work will restrict flight operations overnight between 10:45 p.m. and 7:10 a.m. Travelers are advised to use alternative airports such as Malaga and Granada-Jaén.

Separately, Brussels South Charleroi Airport in Belgium will undergo a complete shutdown from August 15 to October 31, 2028. The 11-week closure is required to rebuild the airport's single 3,200-metre runway, which authorities stated has reached the end of its 40-year operational lifespan. The €50 million project includes replacing drainage systems, renewing airfield lighting, and upgrading parking stands and terminals. The disruption is expected to affect more than two million passengers, primarily impacting Ryanair and Wizz Air, with an estimated 7,300 and 500 flight cancellations respectively. Other carriers including Volotea, Air Corsica, and Pegasus Airlines will also be affected.