Brussels Airport (BRU)

Federal Mediator for Brussels-National Airport presents 2023 annual report, highlights nighttime offences

Share

© Brussels Airport mediator Philippe Touwaide

The Federal Mediator for Brussels-National Airport released its 2023 Annual Report, presenting key findings and challenges.

The annual number of complaints remained stable at 28,893, with an increased number of applicants reaching 4,736 (1,481 in 2019 and 1,552 in 2021). The report highlighted 384 threatening letters including attacks on the life of the Mediator, leading to an official complaint.

Philippe Touwaide, Federal Airport Mediator

Nighttime offences, including 1,317 flights without time slots, 667 suspected violations of aeronautical regulations, and 383 opinions on the operating permit renewal for Brussels Airport Company, were reported.

The Mediator emphasised the need to respect the rule of law, legal decisions (in particular relating to wind standards in Brussels-National), and European regulations. The report also criticised incomplete and erroneous communication from Brussels Airport Company and called for zero tolerance for infractions, a low emission zone by eliminating all old and noisy planes, noise reduction measures (including the construction of noise walls and a covered hall for reactor tests), and adherence to noise standards.

In conclusion, the Mediator wonders how the current Minister can want to eliminate the Mediator service of which he knows neither the functioning nor the quality of service provided to the population since he never wanted to meet him.

This post was published on 29 February 2024 10:30

André Orban

M. Sc. Engineering

Published by
André Orban

Recent Posts

Airbus forecasts 46% growth in global freighter fleet by 2045

Airbus expects the worldwide dedicated freighter fleet to grow from 2,360 aircraft in 2026 to…

24 October 2026

American posts record revenue but fuel costs drive third-quarter loss

American Airlines reported record third-quarter revenue of US$16.3 billion, up 19.3% year-on-year, but higher fuel…

24 October 2026

Storm Austen forces flight cancellations and diversions across Western Europe

Storm Austen disrupted air travel across Western Europe on Friday, 23 October, forcing cancellations in…

24 October 2026

Romanian airline Dan Air files for insolvency amid €10 million environmental debt

Romanian carrier seeks protection from creditors as total liabilities reach €25.4 million; flight operations face…

23 October 2026

Jetstar bans passenger after he inflates life jacket during safety demonstration

Jetstar and Qantas have banned an Australian social media personality from flying with their airlines…

23 October 2026

Flemish Government suspends new Brussels Airport flight plan over noise concerns

The Flemish Government has invoked a conflict of interest against the proposed changes to flight…

23 October 2026