The Belgian government says it is urgently working to acquire anti-drone defence systems after drone sightings forced the temporary closure of Zaventem Airport, the country’s main international hub near Brussels.
Flights were suspended on Thursday night when drones were spotted near the airport and at other locations, including a military base. Around 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers were affected, with dozens of flights cancelled or diverted. The airline said it faced “considerable costs” from the disruptions.
Defence Minister Theo Francken said, “At first, drones flying over our military bases were seen as our problem. “Now it has become a serious threat affecting civilian infrastructure across multiple European countries.”
Francken confirmed that Germany has offered assistance and will provide anti-drone defences as Belgium accelerates its procurement process.
“EU compensation schemes don’t apply here,” said Joelle Neeb of Brussels Airlines. “But we are ensuring all passengers reach their destinations, with refunds, rebookings, and hotel support where necessary”.
Neeb added that drone incidents represent a “new threat”, prompting the airline to review its contingency plans.
Drone sightings have caused major air traffic disruptions in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark in recent months. Some officials across Europe have suggested possible “hybrid warfare” tactics by Russia, though no public evidence supports that claim.
German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius linked the latest incidents to EU discussions on using frozen Russian assets to fund a €140 billion loan for Ukraine, held in the Belgium-based bank Euroclear.
While Belgian intelligence services are investigating possible foreign involvement, Francken said there is “no concrete proof” yet linking the disruptions to any state actor.
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