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Drone Sightings Temporarily Halt Flights at Belgian Airports

Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt・November 5, 2025

Suspected drones in Belgian airspace recently forced authorities to suspend flight activity at Brussels and Liege airports. Around 65 flights were canceled or diverted with more departures and arrivals delayed while the incidents were assessed. Operations resumed once the airspace was deemed safe.

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Belgian airports experienced temporary flight stoppages as authorities responded to suspected drone sightings near runways. The incident led to an immediate halt in departures and arrivals at Brussels Airport to ensure passenger safety while investigations took place. Charleroi and Liege airports were also affected. An aviation spokesperson confirmed that the discovery of the drones prompted delays across multiple flights, affecting both incoming and outgoing air traffic.

Authorities swiftly implemented precautionary protocols, suspending all movements until the airspace could be verified as clear. Around 65 flights were canceled or diverted, and 400-500 passengers were delayed overnight in terminals as airport officials worked with aviation security teams to resolve the situation. Normal operations resumed following the all-clear, but some flights continued to experience knock-on delays for a period.

This is the latest drone sighting incident to affect flights in Europe after similar sightings at Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen and Oslo. No further incidents were reported after the initial response, and airport safety measures were reinforced to prevent future occurrences. Travelers at affected airports are advised to monitor their flight status and follow guidance provided by airline staff.

Know your rights

These are your air passenger rights:

When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.

Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.

Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.

Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour.

No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.

This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight.
Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to times you must present yourself for check-in and boarding.

Quick facts

Disruption:

Cancellation and diversion

Cause:

Drone sighting

Compensation:

Not eligible for compensation

Flights affected:

65

Passengers affected:

400-500

Status:

Past disruption

Airports affected:

Brussels Airport, Liege Airport, Charleroi Airport

Checked by:

Alice Mariscotti-Wyatt

Date updated:

November 5, 2025

More passenger rights to discover:

Air Passenger Rights

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