Two new measures aimed at reducing aircraft noise over northern Brussels have taken effect on 1 October, Belgian Federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke has announced. The measures concern aircraft landing on runway 07L using the RNP 07L approach, a satellite-based procedure that has been in use since July 2025. The route has led to increased aircraft traffic over parts of Brussels and surrounding municipalities.

Under the new procedure, arriving aircraft will remain at a higher altitude for longer before entering the Brussels airspace and will subsequently make a steeper descent. The intention is to reduce the noise impact on people living underneath the approach. Aircraft will also follow a more direct descent rather than the previous approach profile, reducing the time spent flying over populated areas.

The RNP 07L route has been the subject of considerable debate since its introduction. According to figures cited by Brussels media, the number of people exposed to noise levels above World Health Organization recommendations increased substantially compared with the former curved approach.

The changes come as the federal government faces a court-imposed deadline concerning measures to address aircraft noise around Brussels Airport. Crucke has also asked air navigation service provider skeyes to examine ways of optimising the RNP 07L procedure.

A study commissioned from CGX examined several alternatives, including a partial return to the former VOR 07 approach, which followed a more curved path around Brussels. Crucke has asked skeyes to prepare this alternative, with a decision expected by the end of October.

The current RNP 07L procedure remains in place for now. Brussels Airport does not decide which runways or approach routes are used; runway selection is the responsibility of skeyes within the regulatory framework established by the federal government.

Belgian and French authorities have arrested 21 people following a major investigation into an international drug trafficking network that allegedly used Brussels Airport to smuggle cocaine and cannabis.

The investigation began in February 2025 after police discovered sports bags containing around 30 kilograms of cocaine from a flight arriving from Cancún, Mexico. Investigators subsequently identified a man who had bought a flight ticket but had no intention of travelling. Instead, the ticket gave him access to the airport’s baggage hall, where he allegedly collected suitcases containing drugs.

According to investigators, the network recruited so-called “extractors” mainly through social media. Drug couriers would travel to Brussels with suitcases containing narcotics but would leave the luggage behind after arrival. Individuals with cheap, last-minute flight tickets would then enter the baggage hall and collect the suitcases without actually boarding a flight.

Further seizures included around 30 kilograms of cannabis from a suitcase arriving from Canada and approximately 55 kilograms of cocaine found in two suitcases.

Investigators later discovered that the network had allegedly recruited airport employees, who removed drugs from suitcases before they reached the baggage carousel. The empty luggage would then continue to the baggage hall, while the drugs were taken out of the airport separately.

The operation on 30 September resulted in 19 arrests and 21 searches in Belgium, while two people were arrested and six searches carried out in France. Authorities seized more than €57,000 in cash, cryptocurrency, eight vehicles, jewellery and a luxury watch, as well as a money-counting machine and several weapons.

The investigation, involving Belgian, French and Dutch authorities together with Europol and Eurojust, is continuing.