Flight paths and air traffic

Planes come and go and if you live nearby, you probably hear them too. That’s why we’re committed to keeping you informed about runway use, flight paths, and noise.

Who decides on runway use and flight paths?

Did you know we’re not the ones deciding which runways or flight paths are used? That’s up to the federal government. Still, we make sure it’s easy for you to follow what’s happening in the skies.

What runway a plane takes off from and lands on depends on various factors, such as federal regulations, timing, and the weather. At batc.be, Brussels Airport and skeyes (air traffic control provider) bring together all the information about air traffic to and from our airport.

There is a federal ombuds service that handles questions and complaints about noise nuisance. You can contact them via www.airportmediation.be. 

Follow air traffic live via BATC

Curious which runways are in use right now, where planes are flying, or how much noise they make? You can check it all in real time at batc.be.

To measure is to know

We believe in being transparent about noise impact in the area. That’s why we continuously monitor noise levels and map noise contours every year. This gives you a clear view of where it tends to be louder.

Take a look at the map below to see the current situation around the airport. The contours show zones with higher average noise levels. We also factor in evenings and nights, when people are more sensitive to sound.

Figure: Lden noise contours of 45 and 50 dB(A) for 2019, 2023, and 2024