Belgium on Alert after Drone Incursions
Premier Bart de Wever has called the National Security Council to meet tomorrow at 10:00 following significant disruptions caused by drone incursions at Belgian airports.
Flight Disruptions in Brussels and Liège
On the evening of November 4, more than 50 flights were cancelled and 24 were diverted at Brussels' Zaventem airport. Liège airport also experienced flight cancellations and delays due to the drone activity.
Airspace Closures and Precautions
The airspace above Brussels airport was closed shortly before 20:00 after drones were sighted. Liège airport suspended all air traffic soon after as a precautionary measure. Authorities attempted to reopen the airspace at around 21:00 but another drone sighting caused further disruptions until flights resumed around 23:30.
Government Response
Tomorrow’s National Security Council meeting will address the security of Belgian airspace amid these incidents.
Defence Minister Francken stated, “This is not the work of amateurs, but a more serious problem.”
Context of Drone Incursions in Europe
These incidents follow a similar event on September 23 that grounded over 50 aircraft at Oslo and Copenhagen airports.
“When a drone is spotted, the standard procedure is to interrupt flights for at least 30 minutes, the time needed to carry out the appropriate checks and make sure there are no more unwanted overflights.”
Author’s summary: Belgium faces rising challenges in controlling drones over airports, prompting urgent government action to safeguard national airspace after repeated disruptions.