Link to Sightings of unidentified drones grounded flights at Belgium’s busiest airports, with delays, cancellations, and ongoing investigations near military basesSightings of unidentified drones grounded flights at Belgium’s busiest airports, with delays, cancellations, and ongoing investigations near military bases
Flights across several Belgian airports were brought to a standstill on Tuesday evening after suspected drone sightings near runways, prompting widespread disruption and safety concerns.
Operations at Brussels Airport, the country's busiest air hub, were suspended around 8:00 p.m. local time (7:00 p.m. GMT) after reports of drone activity in the area. Although flight activity briefly resumed an hour later, the airport was quickly shut down again as sightings persisted.
The disruption extended to Liège Airport, which also halted operations amid similar concerns. Passengers experienced delays and cancellations, with some flights diverted to alternate airports such as Ostend and Charleroi in Belgium, and Eindhoven and Maastricht in the Netherlands.
“Due to drone sightings around the airport, there are currently no departing or arriving flights,” read a statement on Brussels Airport’s website. A follow-up notice warned that delays and cancellations could continue to impact schedules into Wednesday morning.
Images from inside Brussels Airport showed camp beds being prepared for stranded travelers, underscoring the scale of the disruption.
The incident is part of a growing trend of drone-related disturbances at European airports. Similar episodes have been reported recently in Munich, Copenhagen, and Oslo, raising broader questions about aviation safety and airspace security.
In Belgium, the situation is further complicated by repeated drone sightings over military installations. Reports indicate that Kleine-Brogel and Florennes airbases—both key defense sites—were targeted. It marked the fourth consecutive night of drone activity over Kleine-Brogel, located near the Dutch border.
Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken described the situation as a “clear mission targeting Kleine-Brogel” and confirmed that a formal investigation is under way.
Unconfirmed drone sightings were also reported over the weekend near Ostend Airport and Antwerp’s Deurne Airport, further fueling security concerns.
Officials continue to monitor the situation as flight schedules slowly return to normal, but with ongoing investigations and no identified drone operators, the threat remains unresolved.
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati