Brussels Airport noise mitigation and legal challenges

Efforts to mitigate aircraft noise around Brussels Airport have intensified following court rulings regarding environmental licenses and night flight regulations.

The Flemish Government has initiated a process to screen 33 clusters of measures aimed at reducing the number of people severely affected by noise and sleep disturbance by 30% by 2032, compared to 2019 levels. This follows a court decision that voided the airport’s 2024 environmental license.

At the federal level, Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke has stated the government intends to present “concrete proposals” by October 1 to address noise pollution. This follows a February 2025 Brussels court order requiring the state to implement measures to comply with local noise regulations for night flights.

Legal challenges regarding specific flight paths have expanded. The collective Bruegelvogelvrij, representing approximately 40 families from Flemish Brabant, is suing the state to demand the suspension of the RNP 087L flight route, known as the “Crucke route,” citing significant disruption during specific wind conditions. A hearing is expected in February 2027.

Further litigation has emerged involving the Brussels-Capital Region and the Evere municipality, which are contesting the use of the RNP 07L trajectory. While originally a temporary measure, the route’s continued use has led to complaints of increased low-altitude and night-time overflights. Regional data indicates over 270,000 residents are affected, with 96% of measured flights exceeding noise standards. In Flanders, a collective of 42 families from Dilbeek, Lennik, and Roosdaal is also suing the state, while the municipality of Lennik prepares its own legal action. Minister Crucke has defended the satellite-guided route as a European obligation used when preferred runways are unavailable due to weather.