Belgium Probes Drone Incursions After Airport Disruptions

Published on Nov 7, 2025, 10:41 am CST

4 min read

Key points

Belgium convened its National Security Council after coordinated drone sightings over Brussels and Liège
Brussels Airport halted operations on November 4 with at least 54 cancellations and multiple diversions
Liège briefly paused flights again on November 7 following a new sighting before resuming service
Authorities plan to accelerate counter-drone surveillance and stand up a national airspace security center
Travelers should allow extra screening time in Brussels and watch for short-notice airspace restrictions

Impact

Airports Affected: Brussels Airport and Liège Airport saw temporary shutdowns with diversions to regional fields
When To Travel: Delays and sporadic checks possible through the coming days as monitoring is heightened
What To Do: Arrive early, keep airline apps on for gate and schedule changes, and monitor airport feeds
Surface Alternatives: If diverted, use rail from Brussels-Midi for onward travel or coaches between Liège and Brussels
Watch Items: Short-notice airspace restrictions, added screening at Brussels, and evolving government measures

Belgium's government has moved into response mode after a wave of drone sightings disrupted air traffic at two major airports this week. Brussels Airport, Belgium's busiest, suspended operations on the evening of November 4 after multiple drones were observed near the perimeter, triggering cancellations, diversions, and overnight delays. Liège Airport, a key European cargo hub, experienced a fresh, brief halt on November 7 before flights resumed. The National Security Council met to address the incursions and to accelerate counter-drone measures, and travelers should plan for extra screening and potential short-notice restrictions in the near term.

Incident timeline and scope

On Tuesday, November 4, air traffic at Brussels Airport was stopped around 8:00 p.m. local time after sightings of drones over or near restricted areas. Authorities diverted inbound flights and held departures while skeyes, Belgium's air navigation service, and airport staff assessed the risk. By the next day, the airport operator reported at least 54 cancellations and more than 20 diversions, with 400 to 500 travelers spending the night in the terminal while operations were gradually restored.

At roughly the same time, drone activity was reported over other Belgian aerodromes, including Liège, with local shutdowns lasting into the early hours of Wednesday. Belgian officials later confirmed drone sightings over additional sites, including military facilities. The pattern of appearances across multiple locations led to coordinated national-level discussions on surveillance and enforcement.

After midweek recovery, Liège briefly paused flights again on Friday morning, November 7, following another sighting; skeyes said the halt lasted about 30 minutes before operations resumed. The recurrence underscores that further short disruptions remain possible while authorities tighten monitoring.

Government response and what is changing

Prime Minister Bart De Wever convened the National Security Council on November 6 to review security around airports and sensitive sites. Following that meeting, ministers outlined steps to enhance detection and interdiction, including making a National Airspace Security Center fully operational by January 1 and expediting counter-drone capabilities such as jamming or neutralization tools. These measures aim to reduce the chance that future sightings will require full airport stoppages.

Officials and European partners have avoided definitive attributions, but they have framed the incursions within a broader pattern of suspicious drone activity around critical infrastructure across the region in recent months. That context helps explain why travelers may see more uniformed presence and screening spot-checks at Belgian airports over the coming days.

Diversions, transfers, and practical advice

During Tuesday's shutdown, flights inbound to Brussels were re-routed to nearby airports such as Charleroi, Ostend-Bruges, Maastricht, and Eindhoven, while some Brussels-origin departures were canceled outright. If your flight diverts, rail from Brussels-Midi remains the fastest spine for onward travel within Belgium and to Paris or London, and coach links can bridge between Liège and Brussels if needed. Build in buffer time, particularly if you must connect to long-distance rail at Brussels-Midi after a flight.

Airport operations have resumed at both Brussels and Liège, but residual delays and aircraft-and-crew misplacements are still unwinding from the earlier stoppages. Plan to arrive earlier than usual for departures from Brussels, keep airline and airport notifications enabled, and watch live departure boards for gate or timing changes tied to short-notice airspace checks.

Background

Drones near airports trigger conservative safety rules. In Belgium, reports of a drone within restricted areas typically prompt an immediate traffic pause while skeyes and police confirm the threat picture. Once no activity is detected for a period, flights can resume, often leaving aircraft out of position and schedules needing resets. That operational reality explains why cancellations can continue even after the airfield reopens.

Final thoughts

Belgium's probe into this week's drone incursions is ongoing, and the government is moving to harden airspace surveillance. For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: allow extra time at Brussels, monitor your flight and rail connections closely, and be ready for short-notice checks while authorities implement new counter-drone steps.