The Flemish government has expressed concerns about the new flight routes to and from Brussels Airport in Zaventem, citing a conflict of interest. According to Flemish Minister for the

Periphery, Ben Weyts, recent studies indicate that the adjustments made to the flight routes have resulted in increased noise pollution in Flanders.

Residents in communities within the Flemish periphery, near the Brussels region's border, have reported elevated noise levels from aircraft flying overhead in recent days. Walter Vansteenkiste, Mayor of Wemmel and Chairman of the Airport Region Platform, mentioned that these new flight paths have been in place since October 5.

Federal Mobility Minister, Georges Gilkinet, stated to De Tijd that these changes were technical adjustments, asserting that noise levels remained unchanged. However, the Flemish Department of Environment has observed that the flight routes have shifted towards Flanders, particularly affecting the north and north-west regions of the Flemish periphery, both during the day and at night.

Conflict and Legal Action Weyts contends that this shift occurred without intergovernmental consultation, and queries from Flanders directed at Gilkinet have gone unanswered. The government has decided to invoke a conflict of interest with the Consultation Committee, Belgium's primary intergovernmental forum for addressing government or parliament decisions that affect the interests of other communities or regions. Additionally, Weyts plans to take legal action.

Belgium has been grappling with conflicts regarding Brussels Airport for many years. Earlier this year, the airport's expansion plans faced criticism from mayors of surrounding towns who argued that increased flights would lead to heightened traffic and noise. There are also concerns about the absence of a Flemish nitrogen decree, as the airport represents a significant source of nitrogen pollution, and its current environmental permit expires in 2024. Photo by © Ad Meskens / Wikimedia Commons.