Belgium’s federal mobility minister, Jean-Luc Crucke, has unveiled a package of measures to cut aircraft noise over northern Brussels and Brussels Airport, with some steps taking effect immediately. The plan includes a steeper descent for aircraft landing on runway 07L, longer-term work on extending the taxiway along runway 25R, talks with airlines on quieter aircraft at the noisiest times of day, and possible changes to wind criteria that shape runway use.
The move comes after court pressure on the federal state to present noise-reduction measures by 1 October or face daily fines. The dispute centres on overflights above densely populated municipalities including Schaarbeek, Evere and Molenbeek, where residents have long challenged the impact of traffic linked to the airport.
The runway 07L approach has been one of the most contentious elements of the debate, with critics pointing to concentrated noise over the capital’s northern districts. Crucke has also pushed for operational changes that would favour the use of quieter aircraft late at night and early in the morning, while keeping safety considerations in place.
Some of the measures are already in force, but others still require negotiations and further political agreement. Reports also indicate that the federal government did not yet have full consensus on the package, leaving the long-term implementation timetable unresolved.