Charleroi Airport Ranked Second Worst in Europe in Google Review Study
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) has been ranked the second worst airport in Europe, according to a new comparison of Google reviews compiled by booking platform Holidu. The Belgian airport scored just 3.1 out of 5 stars based on 26,348 reviews collected in June 2026, placing it ahead of only Heraklion International Airport in Greece, which scored 2.6.
A Persistent Problem
This is not the first time Charleroi has ranked poorly. In August 2025, the airport was named the third worst in Europe in a similar Holidu analysis, scoring the same 3.1 rating from 23,202 reviews. The drop from third to second worst reflects deepening passenger frustration as the airport struggles to cope with surging demand.
Meanwhile, Brussels Airport (Zaventem) dropped nine places in the ranking, falling from 31st to 40th out of 85 airports, though it still scored slightly above average.
Why Charleroi Ranks So Poorly
The airport’s poor performance is largely driven by chronic overcrowding. According to Wikipedia, Charleroi served 10,504,554 passengers in 2024 — an 11.7% increase over 2023 — making it the second busiest airport in Belgium. However, the facility was originally designed to accommodate around 5 to 6 million passengers annually.
Holidu noted in its methodology that Charleroi, “like many of the other airports in this list, also struggles with managing rising passenger numbers. Originally designed to accommodate around 6 million passengers, the airport has faced record-breaking traveller numbers in recent years that have caused congestion and long wait times.”
Passenger complaints frequently cite long queues, lack of luggage trolleys, paid toilets, and insufficient seating at gates. A Charleroi Airport spokesperson previously stated that many complaints come from passengers who arrive after the three-hour check-in deadline or cannot prove they were on time.
The Low-Cost Trade-Off
Charleroi serves as a major hub for low-cost carriers, particularly Ryanair and Wizz Air. Some travellers argue the poor ratings reflect the trade-offs inherent in budget travel. As one reader commented on HLN: “Charleroi is more than OK when you want to travel cheaply. If you pay €17 for a flight ticket, you don’t expect great luxury at the airport.”
However, others point to specific infrastructure shortcomings. Complaints about the lack of trolleys, paid toilet facilities, and the airport’s misleading “Brussels South” branding — given that Charleroi is 46 km south of Brussels — are recurring themes.
Recent Challenges Mount
The poor ranking arrives at a particularly difficult moment for the airport. Just days before the study was published, Ryanair announced it would withdraw five aircraft from Charleroi and cut 2 million seats for the 2026-27 winter schedule, citing a dispute over Belgian aviation tax.
Belgium has also experienced significant labour unrest in 2026, with multiple general strikes causing complete shutdowns at Charleroi. In March 2026, a 24-hour general strike halted all departures, and a national demonstration in May led to full cancellation of all flights.
Methodology and Caveats
Holidu’s European Airport Index is based solely on Google Maps reviews of the 100 busiest airports in Europe. The platform acknowledges that passengers with negative experiences are more likely to leave reviews than satisfied customers, which may skew results downward. Istanbul Airport topped the ranking for the fourth consecutive year with a score of 4.4 out of 5, followed by Porto and Helsinki.
What’s Next for Charleroi?
With passenger numbers nearly double its original design capacity, a major low-cost carrier cutting capacity, and persistent labour disruptions, Charleroi faces a challenging period ahead. The Walloon government, which owns the airport through the Société Wallonne des Aéroports, faces growing pressure to invest in infrastructure improvements. Whether the airport can improve passenger experience while maintaining its low-cost identity remains an open question.