Brussels and Liege airports in Belgium experienced significant disruptions on Tuesday evening due to sightings of drones in the vicinity. This prompted immediate security measures that led to the closure of both airports, affecting numerous flights.
Kurt Verwilligen, a spokesperson for the Belgian air traffic control service, reported that just before 8 p.m. local time, a drone was spotted near Brussels Airport, necessitating its closure as a safety precaution. Despite a brief reopening after two hours, Brussels Airport was forced to halt operations again following further drone sightings, leaving it uncertain when services would resume. The national carrier, Brussels Airlines, indicated that 15 outbound flights could not take off, while eight incoming flights were redirected to alternative airports.
Liege Airport, primarily a cargo hub, was also shut down due to similar drone activity, as confirmed by an airport representative. These incidents followed earlier drone sightings over a Belgian military air base during the weekend.
Reflecting on the situation, Defense Minister Theo Francken commented to public broadcaster RTBF, suggesting that the drone activities appeared orchestrated by professionals aiming to disrupt national security.
This trend of drone-related disturbances has been witnessed throughout Europe recently. Particularly notable incidents include the temporary closures of Copenhagen Airport for four hours and Oslo Airport for three hours in September, also due to drone sightings. Additionally, there have been reports of suspected Russian drone incursions into the airspace of Poland and Romania, highlighting a growing concern over drone security in the region.
While the recent drone sightings have caused operational challenges and raised security alarms, it remains an opportunity for authorities to enhance safety measures and regulations surrounding drone usage, potentially leading to improved safety protocols for the future.