IATA opposes ban on night flights at Brussels airport

Geneva : The proposed night flight ban between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. at Brussels Airport effective October 2024 has already generated many reactions, both negative and positive.

According to IATA, the proposal is “premature” and goes against existing international agreements on noise pollution at airports.

These explicitly state that the introduction of flight restrictions should only be employed as a last resort and only take place after consultation, cost-benefit analysis and exhaustion of all other possible measures within the Balanced Approach.

Rafael Schwartzman, IATA’s regional vice-president for Europe, conceded that complaints from residents around the airport about noise pollution should be taken into account. “But it is particularly regrettable that the Minister Gilkinet attempted to circumvent the balanced approach. However, this is a long-established method which has shown its effectiveness in controlling noise pollution in airports.“, Mr. Schwartzman said, adding that he was “vital that the government abandons this proposal and instead consults the various stakeholders“. #