Charleroi reaches profit two years early

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Growth in non-aeronautical revenue helped propel the airport into the red, defying forecasts of losses until 2005

Duty-free sales have contributed to a 76% leap in non-aeronautical revenue at Brussels South Charleroi Airport. The airport, controlled by the regional government, showed a Eu1.41m ($1.7m) profit for the year to December 31, against a Eu867,759 ($1.05m) loss in 2002. Passenger numbers rose from 1.3m to 1.8m over the year.

Charleroi predicted passenger levels will reach slightly under 2m this year, leading to stronger profit growth. The airport has already reached profitability two years ahead of expectations; when the airport signed a 10 year-deal in 2001 with Ryanair to serve as its European base it predicted losses every year until 2005. 

The airport is working on a solution to keep Ryanair at the airport after the European Union Commission ruled that the 2001 contract constituted illegal state-aid and ordered Ryanair to repay around Eu4.5m ($5.4m).

The airport hosts two other airlines, Air Polonia and Air Service Plus.