New challenge against Brussels aircraft noise fines

The Brussels region says it will press ahead with issuing noise fines for late-night and early-morning flights taking off from Brussels Airport from Wednesday, while the Flemish region has vowed to continue doing everything in its power to combat the plan.

Budget airline Ryanair announced on Tuesday that it has moved all of its early morning departure slots to 7.00 or later to avoid the fines of €6,000 per flight, which its chief executive Michael O'Leary recently described as "ridiculous", adding: "We can't take any risk."

On Tuesday the Flemish government voted in favour of starting a new conflict of interest procedure against Brussels - which, if considered admissible, would mean the noise fines would be suspended for 60 days pending further discussions.

Flanders argues the noise rules will lead to more planes flying over the Flemish periphery. Brussels says the limits are needed for the quality of life of its residents.

The Flemish region has already objected to Brussels' plan once, on 23 December. This Wednesday marks the end of that initial 60-day embargo.

Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort has called on Belgian prime minister Charles Michel to reject Flanders' latest legal bid, citing a 1980 law which apparently prevents a conflict of interest procedure being lodged twice about the same issue.