Less than 20% of Brussels fines for flight noise collected

The Brussels region has collected barely €6 million of the €32 million in fines imposed on aircraft that have exceeded noise standards since 2000, new figures reveal.

The figure represents less than 20% of the total amount, Le Soir reports.

Regional authorities have been imposing fines on airlines that exceed noise standards in an effort to limit noise pollution from Brussels Airport for 25 years.

By 2025, 1,580 administrative fines had been imposed, totalling almost €32 million.

Of the €6 million that has actually been paid, the costs for solicitors still have to be deducted.

Of the total fines imposed, €10.8 million are "definitively unpaid", meaning collection costs have been discontinued.

Another €6.3 million is considered "uncollectible", meaning the attempt at amicable recovery has been terminated, although it may be recontinued for a further 10 years.

Finally, appeals are pending for €8 million in unpaid fines.

At the same time, complaints about noise pollution from the airport continue to mount and federal mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) wants to consult with Brussels mayors again.

Prior to that, the mayors of Koekelberg, Schaerbeek and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean reacted with disappointment to a meeting with Crucke’s cabinet about the frequent use of a new approach route to Zaventem airport.

As a result of the new approach, 450,000 Brussels residents have been subjected to intensive overflights since the summer.

The RNP-07 route was announced as temporary and urgent last summer, but now it appears the route will remain in place until at least the end of October, despite opposition from residents' groups.

Mayors Olivia P'tito (Koekelberg, PS), Audrey Henry (Schaarbeek, MR) and Amet Gjanaj (Molenbeek, PS) criticised the "unacceptable" delay during "a disappointing meeting" with Minister Crucke's cabinet "after months of insistence".

Crucke now says he is open to new consultations if the mayors request them, and that he will also invite the federal mobility ministry and air traffic controller Skeyes to participate.

“The debate on flying over Brussels deserves a rigorous and responsible approach,” Crucke said in a statement.

“This is a technical and regulatory issue that requires answers based on facts and objective studies.

"Personalising or politicising the subject does not contribute to a better understanding of the challenges, nor to a concrete improvement of the situation."