Brussels South Charleroi Airport is a major international airport located approximately 46 kilometres south of Brussels, near the city of Charleroi in the Walloon region of Belgium. Originally a military airfield, it has been transformed into a significant commercial airport serving tens of millions of passengers annually. The airport is particularly well known as the primary European hub for Ryanair, which has operated a large base there since the early 2000s. This partnership helped drive rapid passenger growth and established Charleroi as a key node in Europe's low-cost aviation network. Despite the 'Brussels' designation in its name, the airport serves travellers willing to use long-distance bus or train connections to reach the Belgian capital, making it a budget-friendly alternative to Brussels Airport at Zaventem.