Zaventem – The federal government must restructure the flight paths over Brussels Airport, located in Zaventem, following a ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeal. The decision is part of an ongoing legal battle over aircraft-induced noise pollution affecting several surrounding municipalities.
The court found that the current flight route system causes excessive noise, particularly impacting Wemmel, Grimbergen, Vilvoorde, Meise, Machelen, and other communities near the northern edge of Brussels. In response, the court has ordered the federal government to take corrective action within two years, directing it to redesign air traffic routes to significantly reduce noise pollution and safeguard public health.
Although the court did not immediately impose penalty payments, it left the door open for future sanctions if the government fails to comply with the order. The ruling acknowledged that penalties previously imposed by a lower court had little to no effect and emphasized that such measures could be introduced again if necessary.
The Court of Appeal instructed the government to develop a new organizational plan for managing flight paths within the designated two-year timeframe. It clarified that while financial penalties aren’t applicable now, they may be reinstated in the event of non-compliance.
Wemmel Mayor Walter Vansteenkiste, former chairman of Platform Luchthavenregio, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.
“We regret that no penalty payments were imposed because they could serve as additional pressure,” said Vansteenkiste. “But the most important thing is that the judge once again ruled in our favour. Even though the government has not implemented previous rulings, we continue to believe that it will respect the rule of law.”
Background on Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport, situated in Zaventem, is Belgium’s main international aviation hub, handling both passenger and cargo operations. The airport’s history dates back to World War I when German forces constructed an airship hangar at nearby Haren and Evere. After the war, the Belgian military repurposed the site before it evolved into a center for civil aviation.
In 1940, during the Second World War, the German occupiers built “Fliegerhorst Melsbroek” on 600 hectares of farmland, establishing three runways that still serve as the backbone of the modern airport.
By 1944, Belgian authorities began converting the site into a national airport. Major infrastructure developments followed during the late 1940s and 1950s, including the inauguration of a passenger terminal in 1958, the same year as the Brussels World Fair (Expo 58). A train link connecting the capital to the airport began service in 1955, enhancing its accessibility.
Today, Brussels Airport continues to share airspace with the adjacent Melsbroek Air Base, reflecting its dual military and civil aviation heritage.
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