A new report reveals that over 101,000 people living near Brussels Airport suffered “seriously disturbed sleep” in 2024 due to aircraft noise, with the highest impact in Brussels, Schaarbeek, and Evere.
The figure comes from an annual noise impact study by aviation consultancy To70, using WHO guidelines introduced under the airport’s updated environmental permit. An estimated 209,000 residents were “seriously disturbed” during both day and night, and over 13,000 were labelled “potentially severely affected” by noise levels above 55 decibels.
While aircraft movements (nearly 199,000 in 2024) remain below pre-pandemic levels, population growth, not increased flight volume, is driving the rise in noise-affected residents. The report also highlights a shift toward quieter, next-generation aircraft, now used on 36% of flights.