Belgian Federal Minister of Mobility has suspended Philippe Touwaide, the federal ombudsman for Brussels Airport, for one month over conflict of interest allegations. The decision, announced on March 11, 2026, follows scrutiny of Touwaide’s role amid ongoing controversies at the airport.
Touwaide’s office has been vocal on regulatory compliance issues. His February 25, 2026, annual report documented 6,075 breaches at Brussels Airport in 2025, including 1,317 federal aviation violations and 4,758 regional noise infractions. Key issues encompassed prohibited night flights, 1,032 movements without approved slots (558 landings, 474 take-offs), and breaches of nighttime quiet periods. Notably, 200 illegal Boeing 777 freighter departures exceeded acoustic limits by over 30%.
The report highlighted non-compliance with a February 2025 Brussels Court of First Instance injunction banning Canal, Ring, and runway 01 landing paths from 23:00 to 07:00, risking penalties or a night curfew. Touwaide criticized daytime takeoff procedures used at night and urged stricter slot audits, Continuous Descent Operations, and incentives for daytime heavy departures. The Federal Mobility Ministry has 60 days to submit an action plan.
Brussels Airport faces persistent complaints from nearby communes like Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Zaventem, where noise disrupts sleep and worsens air quality. Multinational employers have adjusted hardship allowances for staff in affected areas based on regional data. Airport operators maintain they lack competence over slots and coordination, attributing a drop in mediation files—20,526 from 2,285 individuals in 2025—to improved handling.