Brussels Airport flight procedure dispute

The Flemish government suspended planned changes to flight approach procedures at Brussels Airport for 60 days, a period that may be extended. The suspension followed a declaration of conflict of interest regarding a proposal by Belgian Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke to reduce noise pollution over northern Brussels. Flemish officials argued the steeper approaches would shift noise burdens from the capital toward Flemish suburbs.

Following the suspension, the controversial RNP-07L flight approach route remained in use after its scheduled test phase ended in late October. Minister Crucke stated the procedure would be maintained because air traffic controller Skeyes had not yet presented a viable alternative. The Minister has requested studies into alternative routes, such as a curved path to fly further north over Brussels. Meanwhile, the activist group Free Air 4 Brussels has alleged that the Minister may be attempting to make the route permanent by default and has called for an appeal to the Council of State.