Drones Disrupt Belgian Air Traffic: Dozens of Flights Canceled

Brussels' main airport canceled around 80 flights after mysterious drones appeared in Belgian airspace, forcing hundreds of passengers to spend the night at the terminal. The disruption comes as similar drone incidents hit multiple locations across the country, prompting an emergency national security meeting.

Brussels Airport Zaventem, Belgium's busiest hub, suspended operations twice on Tuesday after air traffic controllers spotted unauthorized drones near the airport and another facility in Liege. Between 400 and 500 travelers had to sleep at the airport overnight, while many flights got redirected to neighboring countries, particularly the Netherlands.

Airport spokesperson Ariane Goossens said operations should return to normal during Wednesday. "Flights can resume again at Zaventem," she told reporters, adding that the situation would likely stabilize throughout the day.

The Belgian air traffic control company Skyes shut down all flight movements over the country twice on Tuesday following back-to-back drone sightings. This marks a serious escalation in what appears to be coordinated drone activity across Belgium.

But the airport incidents weren't isolated. Belgian media reported more suspicious drone flights at Klein Brogel site on Tuesday evening, similar to earlier activity at Florennes Air Base in the south. The pattern suggests organized activity rather than random hobbyist flights.

The timing and locations raise security concerns. Military bases and major airports represent critical infrastructure, and unauthorized drone flights in these areas typically trigger immediate responses from authorities.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin called for an emergency National Security Council meeting to address the drone incidents. This response indicates Belgian officials are treating the situation as a potential security threat rather than isolated technical violations.

European airports have faced increasing drone disruptions in recent years. London's Gatwick Airport famously shut down for three days in 2018 due to drone sightings, affecting over 100,000 passengers. But coordinated incidents across multiple sensitive sites in one country remain relatively rare.

The economic impact hits immediately. Each canceled flight costs airlines thousands in rebooking fees, crew overtime, and passenger compensation. For Brussels Airport, which handles over 25 million passengers annually, extended disruptions could affect its reputation as a reliable European hub.

Aviation authorities across Europe are watching Belgium's response closely. The incidents highlight ongoing challenges in detecting and stopping unauthorized drones near critical infrastructure, despite years of investment in counter-drone technology.