Towards a quieter environment
Aircraft taking off and landing inevitably cause noise pollution in the surrounding area. We understand that this can be annoying. As an airport, we take our responsibility seriously and do everything we can to mitigate the impact. We continuously review our operations and work closely with airlines and air traffic control to find effective ways to reduce noise levels.
Initiatives to reduce noise pollution
We closely monitor noise impact through regular on-site measurements and the annual calculation of the noise contours by an independent expert. Noise contours are lines connecting points with the same average noise levels. They help us determine where noise exposure is the highest for local residents.
We’ve been monitoring noise levels for more than twenty years, giving us valuable insights into how noise pollution changes over the years. The positive news? The number of people potentially exposed to high levels of noise pollution has been decreasing over time.
You can find the latest figures on the Brussels Airport Traffic Control website.
We attract quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft. One of the main ways we do this is through airport charges. Airlines pay fees for take-off and landing, and since 2004, that fee is determined in part by how quiet their aircraft are. The quieter the plane, the lower the cost.
This approach motivates airlines to invest in newer, quieter models. And we continue to raise the bar. Since 2023, the least efficient aircraft pay up to 20 times more.
We are pushing harder than ever for quieter flights. But it's not just about noise anymore. The time at which flights are operated and the NOx emissions are also important. Newer aircraft aren't just quieter, they're cleaner too.
We're working with skeyes and several airlines to research, test and implement new landing techniques that reduce noise and emissions.
When aircraft are parked at the gate, we want them to turn off their auxiliary power units (APUs). These APUs provide energy to parked aircraft, but they also consume fuel and produce noise and emissions. That’s why we equipped our gates with 400 Hz power connections. This allows aircraft to connect to the airport's green power supply, resulting in cleaner air and a quieter environment.
Future initiatives
After maintenance, aircraft engines are tested at high power which is essential for safety. This happens about 270 times a year. To limit noise, we only allow these tests between 7am and 10pm.
And things are about to get even quieter. A new engine test run site with noise barriers is under construction to significantly reduce noise levels. It's due to be completed by January 2027 at the latest.
Our airport is already surrounded by noise barriers and sound-absorbing buildings. But there's still room for improvement. Based on the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment, two new barriers will be installed in key locations where they can make a real difference. These new barriers are expected to be in place by the end of March 2028.
