A Ryanair flight from Portugal has been grounded in Belgium following a mid-air bomb threat that forced authorities to shut down the runway and suspend all operations at Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA).
The incident occurred shortly before 11am local time today (Tuesday, 7 May), after flight personnel reported a potential threat while the plane was en route from Porto to Brussels. The aircraft landed safely but was immediately isolated, with emergency services erecting a 500-metre safety perimeter around the plane.
All 166 passengers remain aboard the aircraft under police instruction while bomb disposal experts and law enforcement conduct a full security inspection.
A spokesperson for Brussels South Charleroi Airport said in a statement:
“This Tuesday morning, shortly before 11am, a bomb threat was triggered on board a plane that landed at Charleroi airport. A security perimeter was set up around the aircraft, necessitating the closure of the runway and therefore the interruption of operations. The relevant authorities have taken over. We will keep you informed of further developments.”
Nathalie Pierard, speaking to the Brussels Times on behalf of the airport, confirmed the aircraft had been moved to a separate section of the airfield, with incoming and departing flights suspended until further notice.
She added: “The police are on the scene and the 166 passengers will be evacuated from the plane once approved by the police. The runway and the main road behind it are closed. It is currently unclear how long the disruption will last. Lunchtime is an off-peak moment for flights, so not too many passengers should be affected.”
The nature of the bomb threat has not yet been confirmed, and Belgian authorities continue to investigate the origin and credibility of the claim.
