Travel chaos hit Belgium on Tuesday evening as drone sightings forced the closure of two key airports, leaving flights suspended and passengers stranded.
Brussels Airport, the country’s main international hub, and Liège Airport were both affected, with additional precautions taken at Charleroi Airport.
Brussels Airport Suspended Operations
A spokesperson for Brussels Airport confirmed that no flights were departing or arriving due to suspected drone activity in the vicinity.
The disruption began shortly before 19:00 GMT when air traffic control spotted a drone near the airport.
Flight data indicates that several flights were delayed, cancelled, or diverted, with the last recorded departure heading to Prague at 19:30 and the last arrival from Tenerife at 19:50.
Located just 12 kilometres northeast of Brussels, the airport serves numerous international destinations, including the UK, Dubai, and Turkey.
The airport posted an official message urging passengers to stay tuned for updates: “There are currently no departing or arriving flights at Brussels Airport due to drone sightings around the airport.
We will provide updates as soon as we have more information.”
Liège and Charleroi Airports Also Impacted
Liège Airport was similarly closed following a drone alert, while Charleroi Airport, Belgium’s second-largest airport, temporarily halted operations as a precaution.
Kurt Verwilligen, a spokesperson for Belgian air traffic control, stressed that the closures were purely safety measures, with authorities monitoring the situation closely.
A Growing Pattern of Drone Disruptions
This is not the first time drones have caused airport chaos in Europe.
In September, both Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport faced temporary closures after drones were spotted near the runways.
In Copenhagen, two to three large drones were observed in the area, leading to at least 35 flights being diverted to Swedish airports in Malmo and Gothenburg, as well as Danish airports including Billund, Aalborg, and Aarhus.
Oslo Airport also experienced disruptions later that evening after drones were seen nearby, prompting emergency air traffic measures and flight diversions.
Security Concerns and Future Precautions
Drone sightings near airports pose a serious security risk, as they can interfere with take-offs and landings, potentially endangering passengers and crew.
Belgian authorities are treating the situation seriously, with reports also emerging of drones spotted at the Florennes military base.
Airports and air traffic control teams are working together to investigate the incidents and ensure safe operations resume as quickly as possible.
Passengers Left in Limbo
The sudden airport closures left travellers frustrated, with flight cancellations and diversions causing widespread disruption.
Airlines and airport authorities have been advising passengers to check for updates on their flights and remain flexible as investigations continue into the source and purpose of the drones.