**A Historic Closure for a Critical Upgrade** Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA) has confirmed that it will close entirely for approximately eleven weeks between mid-August and end-October 2028. The closure is necessary to completely rebuild the runway pavement, which has reached the end of its service life after decades of intensive use. In parallel, the airport will modernize its drainage system, lighting, and markings. The Walloon regional government and SOWAER, the regional airport authority, emphasize that these investments are essential to ensure long-term safety, performance, and attractiveness. **Why a Full Closure Instead of Night Work?** The decision to close the airport completely rather than spreading the work over several years of night and weekend shifts is strategic. By concentrating all construction activities into a continuous 11-week period, teams can work 24/7, significantly reducing the overall disruption timeline. This approach also avoids winter weather constraints that could delay asphalt work. The planning has been in development for years, with the final schedule approved in November 2024. For aviation professionals, this case study illustrates the trade-offs between operational continuity and infrastructure renewal—a recurring theme in airport management. **Impact on Airlines and Passengers** Charleroi is a major base for Ryanair, which will face significant schedule adjustments. Some flights will be redeployed to Liège Airport, which has already expressed readiness to handle transferred operations, particularly on leisure and low-cost routes. However, not all routes can be relocated, and several point-to-point services will be suspended for the duration. This situation highlights the fragility of single-runway airports and the importance of contingency planning in airline network management. For students studying airline operations, this is a real-world example of how infrastructure constraints ripple through route planning and passenger services. **Social and Labor Concerns** The closure has raised concerns among unions about job security and the future of certain destinations. Alain Goelens, a SETCa representative, questions whether all destinations will be restored after reopening and criticizes the lack of a proactive strategy to diversify airlines beyond Ryanair. Unions are also seeking clarity on compensation and potential temporary unemployment for staff during the shutdown. These issues are compounded by Ryanair's announced fleet reduction and ongoing debates over airport taxation. This demonstrates how infrastructure projects can have profound socio-economic impacts, a dimension often overlooked in technical training. **Short-Term Relief: Strike Notice Suspended** In the near term, the social climate at Charleroi has eased. The strike notice filed by Belgian air traffic controllers for August 12 has been suspended. Skeyes, the Belgian air navigation service provider, reports that a conciliation meeting with the three representative unions was constructive, and a follow-up is scheduled for August 17. All collective actions are on hold, ensuring normal operations during the summer peak. This development underscores the critical role of ATC in maintaining operational stability, a key topic for ATC trainees.