BRUSSELS (ANP) – Brussels Airport may continue to grow in the coming years. Night flights remain possible, although there should be a lot fewer, according to the new permit for the national airport in Zaventem near Brussels.
Just like Schiphol, Zaventem is caught between the urge to grow and the pressure from local residents and nature conservationists to fly less. The Flemish government, which wanted to extend the permit for the airport that expired in July, says it wants to guarantee “the balance between the economic interests of the airport and the impact on the environment”. After all, the airport is “one of the important economic engines of our country”, says Environment Minister Zuhal Demir.
Brussels Airport may continue to grow to 240,000 flight movements (takeoffs and landings) per year, as the airport wants. Even though an important advisory committee had recommended setting the ceiling much lower. Demir also ignores the advice to ban night flights within four years. However, the number of night flights must be reduced by 30 percent by 2032.
