The Flemish Government has suspended implementation of proposed changes to Brussels Airport flight procedures after invoking a conflict-of-interest procedure against federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke’s plan. The measures, intended to reduce aircraft noise over northern Brussels, would alter approaches to runway 07L and wind criteria for runway use. Flanders argues they could redirect aircraft and noise towards communities around the airport in the Flemish Rand.
The dispute will now go before Belgium’s Consultative Committee, triggering a 60-day suspension that can in principle be extended by another 60 days. The procedure temporarily prevents the proposed flight-plan and wind-criteria changes from taking effect; it does not amount to a final cancellation.
Crucke’s plan would have aircraft approaching runway 07L enter Brussels airspace at a higher altitude before following a steeper descent. Changes to the wind criteria could reduce the number of aircraft using that approach and shift traffic elsewhere. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele called for a fuller assessment of aviation-safety and resident-impact consequences, while Environment Minister Jo Brouns raised concerns about noise transfers to the Flemish Rand and possible effects on Brussels Airport’s environmental-permit process.
Brussels Airport is located in Zaventem, Flanders, but serves Brussels and Belgium’s wider international air-transport network. The conflict adds to a long-running dispute over noise distribution, including complaints and legal action linked to the RNP 07L approach route. The precise implementation timetable and outcome of the Consultative Committee process remain unresolved.