01/04/2026
Brussels Airport submitted an update to its environmental permit in early March. This is not a new, major application, but an update to the existing permit to ensure it fully reflects the current situation at the airport.
In 2024 Brussels Airport was granted a new integrated environmental permit.
In 2025 the permit was annulled by the Flemish Council for Permit Disputes for non-compliance with a specific European procedure. However, the Council decided that – because of its social importance – Brussels Airport can continue to operate until June 2029 under the conditions of the annulled permit.
By the end of that period, a completely new permit application procedure must be completed. This also includes the European Balanced Approach, which examines which aircraft noise mitigation measures are necessary and realistic. That process was recently launched by the Flemish government and is unconnected to this update.
Our airport is changing every day. Some facilities are being upgraded, relocated or expanded. These include cooling systems, transformers, storage areas and other technical infrastructure.
These are modifications that:
Nevertheless, these changes must be officially included in our permit. That is why we are now submitting an update. Such updates will also be required regularly in the future, sometimes even several times a year.
As the airport is situated on the territory of four municipalities (Zaventem, Machelen, Steenokkerzeel and Kortenberg), the application is treated in all four municipalities. This involves:
For local residents, this update does not change the day-to-day operations of the airport. It is an administrative addendum to the existing permit.
The main permit procedure, which will also cover future plans and potential noise mitigation measures, will start later and must be completed by 2029. As soon as that process is underway, we will provide our neighbours with detailed and clear information about it.