Belgium's Charleroi Airport to Temporarily Halt Operations Wednesday

BRUSSELS—No flights will be able to land or take off at Belgium's Charleroi Airport for more than four hours Wednesday morning due to a shortage of air-traffic controllers, a spokesman for the airport said.

"I confirm that the operations will be stopped at Charleroi Airport from 07:15 to 11:30" Central European Time (0515 to 0930 GMT), said Vincent Grassa.

Charleroi Airport serves as Brussels' secondary airport and is an important hub for Ryanair and other low-cost airlines. It has also taken on extra flights in the wake of the attacks at Brussels Airport, which have constrained operations there.

Mr. Grassa declined to give a reason for why there wouldn't be sufficient air-traffic controllers to allow normal operations Wednesday morning, pointing to Belgocontrol, Belgium's air-navigation service provider.

"I cannot confirm if flights will be canceled. Nevertheless, delays may be expected," Mr. Grassa said.

Belgocontrol couldn't be reached Tuesday evening. However, last week a walkout by the company's air-traffic controllers over a retirement dispute led to cancellations and delays both at Charleroi and Brussels Airports.

The renewed disruptions come as Belgium's airports and tourism industry struggle to get back on their feet following the March 22 bombings, which killed 32 people and injured more than 300.

Write to Gabriele Steinhauser at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 19, 2016 22:25 ET (02:25 GMT)

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