Authorities closed Brussels Zaventem Airport on Tuesday night after multiple drone sightings disrupted flights. Public broadcaster VRT reported that air traffic halted when a drone appeared over the airfield. Officials briefly reopened the airspace before closing it again following a second sighting.
Flights scheduled to land in Brussels were redirected to Liège Airport, which also shut down shortly afterward when another drone appeared overhead. A spokesperson for skeyes, Belgium’s airspace authority, confirmed the first sighting occurred around 8 p.m. local time, forcing diversions to Ostend-Bruges and Charleroi Brussels South.
Officials remain on alert as investigations continue. The repeated drone appearances have raised security concerns amid growing regional tensions.
NATO and EU Intensify Airspace Vigilance
Both NATO and the European Union have increased surveillance following recent airspace violations believed to involve Russian aircraft and drones. NATO warned Moscow in late September that it would defend against any further intrusions after Russian drones were shot down over Poland and fighter jets entered Estonian airspace.
The 10 September drone incident in Poland marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022. Estonia later reported that three Russian MiG-31 jets entered its airspace for twelve minutes without authorisation—an accusation the Kremlin denied.
European leaders have expressed alarm, questioning whether NATO remains prepared to respond swiftly to continued Russian provocations.
NATO Launches Eastern Sentry to Deter Further Breaches
In response to the Polish airspace violation, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the creation of the Eastern Sentry programme. The initiative aims to strengthen air defences along NATO’s eastern flank and reassure member states bordering Russia.
“We see drones crossing our airspace, intentional or not—it is unacceptable,” Rutte said. “All allies stand firmly with Poland. We must confront aggression and protect every nation in our alliance.”
The ongoing airspace tensions, combined with the Belgian drone disruptions, underscore Europe’s growing anxiety over aerial security and the potential escalation of Russian interference.
