Brussels Airport launches EU “Balanced Approach” to enable sustainable growth while cutting noise

Brussels Airport has formally launched the European “Balanced Approach” procedure, aiming to establish a legally sound and coherent operational framework that allows sustainable growth while reducing environmental and noise impacts. The move follows the annulment of the airport’s environmental permit in July 2025, after authorities imposed strict operating restrictions without first applying the EU-mandated procedure.

The airport views the Balanced Approach as a key opportunity to resolve long-standing regulatory uncertainty caused by conflicting regional and federal rules, disputed flight paths, and the now-revoked permit. By correctly applying the EU process, policymakers can create a stable framework and issue a new environmental permit that provides legal certainty for airlines, investors, and surrounding communities. The Flemish government has until 30 June 2029 to complete the procedure and take a new permit decision, during which airport operations may continue as normal.

Brussels Airport stresses that any new framework must allow continued growth in daytime flights (06:00 to 23:00) in line with market demand, while further reducing nuisance. As Belgium’s main international hub and second-largest economic engine—supporting around 64,000 jobs and 2% of GDP—the airport argues that connectivity, employment, and investment must be safeguarded. It also highlights progress already made: since 2000, the number of people potentially severely affected by aircraft noise has fallen by 61%, with further reductions expected from quieter aircraft, improved procedures, noise barriers, and wider environmental investments, including a goal of net-zero CO? emissions from airport operations by 2030.

However, Brussels Airport warns that the noise reduction targets set by authorities are extremely demanding. Governments are seeking a 30% reduction by 2032 in the number of people highly annoyed by noise and highly sleep-disturbed compared with 2019 levels—well beyond the 10–15% reduction outlined in the airport’s environmental impact report. Achieving this higher target would require far-reaching additional measures.

The airport reiterates that, under EU Regulation 598/2014, measures must follow the Balanced Approach hierarchy: prioritising fleet renewal, land-use planning, flight paths, and runway use before considering operating restrictions, which should be a last resort. Any final package must be cost-effective, proportionate, and balanced, taking economic impact into account. The procedure includes stakeholder consultation and a recommendation from the European Commission, after which agreed measures will be embedded in regulations and, where applicable, the new environmental permit.