Brussels Airport repeatedly violated federal regulations on night flights and noise limits throughout 2025, logging at least 1,317 infractions according to the latest annual report from Belgium’s federal airport mediation service.
Federal ombudsman Philippe Touwaide presented the findings on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, highlighting persistent breaches that included aircraft operating during prohibited night hours (typically 23:00–06:00), failure to follow quiet night procedures, and the use of daytime takeoff protocols during nighttime operations, Belga news agency reported.
The report further documented 4,758 violations of Brussels regional noise standards in the first ten months of 2025 alone, underscoring ongoing non-compliance by airlines and airport operators.
Among the most egregious violations cited were approximately 200 nighttime takeoffs by a Boeing 777 cargo aircraft, which Touwaide described as “completely illegal” under current federal rules that restrict heavy jet movements during night hours to minimize disturbance in surrounding residential areas.
The revelations intensify longstanding tensions between federal aviation authorities, Brussels Airport management (operated by Brussels Airport Company), airlines, and local mayors in the densely populated Flemish and Brussels-Capital Region municipalities beneath key flight paths. Residents and local officials have long complained about sleep disruption, declining property values, and health impacts from sustained aircraft noise, while airport stakeholders argue that stricter enforcement threatens economic competitiveness and connectivity.
Adding to the controversy, Belgian daily Le Soir reported earlier this month that less than 20% of fines imposed for aircraft noise pollution around Brussels Airport have actually been collected since 2000. The low recovery rate—attributed to administrative challenges, appeals, and enforcement gaps—has fueled criticism that penalties lack deterrent value and fail to incentivize compliance.
Touwaide urged airport operators, airlines, and regulators to fully respect court rulings and applicable federal and regional regulations. He emphasized the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, better monitoring technology, and renewed dialogue to balance economic interests with the rights of affected communities.
Brussels Airport remains one of Europe’s busiest cargo hubs and a major passenger gateway, handling millions of travellers and substantial freight volumes annually. However, its location amid urban and suburban zones has made noise management a perennial flashpoint in Belgian aviation policy.
The 2025 figures represent a continuation—and in some categories an escalation—of compliance issues documented in previous ombudsman reports. Environmental groups and local action committees have called for immediate restrictions on night operations, rerouting of flight paths, and accelerated adoption of quieter aircraft technologies, while industry representatives warn that overly stringent measures could divert traffic to competing airports in Amsterdam, Paris, or Frankfurt.
No immediate response was available from Brussels Airport Company or the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority as of Wednesday afternoon. The federal government has previously indicated it is reviewing options for tighter night-flight regulations and improved fine-collection mechanisms, though concrete legislative proposals remain pending.
The ombudsman’s report renews pressure on policymakers to address what critics describe as a systemic failure to enforce aviation noise rules, even as Brussels Airport continues to play a vital role in Belgium’s economy and connectivity.
