BRU regrets government proposal to restrict flights

Brussels Airport has expressed “ regret ” over a federal government proposal to limit noise pollution from aircraft by imposing flight restrictions, especially during nighttime periods, with an outright ban between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time at the Belgian capital’s air hub. A draft ministerial decree was presented Friday by Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet , a member of the Ecolo green political party. [caption id="attachment_73814" align="alignleft" width="291"] Cargo handling at Brussels Airport (BRU). Photo/Brussels Airport Co.[/caption] It mirrors recent moves to reduce flight slots at Belgium’s Liege Airport (LGG) and the Netherlands’ Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to reduce noise and environmental pollution. The Belgian government is slated to present a decision by July 21 on modernizing the quota count value system, which determines the maximum noise level for each aircraft taking off and landing at Brussels Airport (BRU), according to Belgian media reports. These standards have not been revised since 2009. The decision aims to reduce overall noise levels from aircraft by 20% beginning in October 2024, but also makes provision for a ban on overnight flights. Harmful to Belgian economy? Brussels Airport Co. (BAC) said in a statement that the “far-reaching proposal” would have “unprecedented negative consequences on employment, connectivity, exports and the economy in Belgium” and that it had been issued “without any concertation or alignment with the airport or the aviation industry.” BRU is “a vital logistics hub for the numerous exporting companies and industries established in Belgium, including the pharmaceutical industry , the manufacturing industry and perishables,” BAC said in the statement. The airport company noted it is “investing heavily in making its operations more sustainable by attracting quieter aircraft through differentiated charges, working on more efficient flight procedures, entirely eliminating its own carbon emissions .” BAC said the proposal does not respect European procedure for the imposition of operating restrictions. However, residents’ groups and Bond Beter Leefmilieu (BBL), roughly translated as the Association for a Better Environment , said the federal minister’s announcement was “a milestone for the health of local residents” and “a beautiful first step towards a sustainable and future-oriented management of our national airport.” Earlier this year, a study commissioned by BBL highlighted that the more than 100,000 residents in the vicinity of BRU suffer from severe sleep disturbance due to noise from nighttime flights. Express carriers to feel the brunt If nighttime restrictions on flights and an all-out ban between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. are imposed, express distribution operators such as DHL and UP S would be hardest hit, given that most of their flights take place overnight. Last month, express cargo was BRU’s biggest segment of cargo traffic, accounting for 22,310 tonnes, an increase of almost 10% from June 2022. Global throughput totaled 59,218 tonnes, with the addition of non-express freighter and belly cargo traffic. “We deeply regret yet another approach to issue announcements and vague proposals, which are in contradiction with the European framework,” a DHL spokesperson told Air Cargo Next . “For more than 20 years, the Belgian aviation sector, our employees and local residents have regularly been the subject of various political proposals, while everyone benefits only from honest dialogue and clarity. An isolated proposal does not provide this clarity and hampers any sustainable investment. It risks creating more concerns and polarization but does not offer solutions. “We will continue to work within the current regulatory framework,” DHL continued. The company said it operates 52 flight movements per night at its BRU hub Monday through Thursday, as well as fewer flights Friday through Sunday. Join Air Cargo Next for the second Air Cargo Tech Summit on Monday, Sept. 18, and Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place in Belgium. For more information on the summit and to register, click here .

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