Brussels’ main airport was forced to shut for about an hour on Thursday evening following yet another drone sighting – the third closure in a week – as Belgium faces a surge of mysterious activity across its airspace.
Belgian air traffic control ordered the shutdown of Zaventem airport at 9:20 p.m., according to Flemish broadcaster VRT. The airport, Belgium’s largest and a key gateway to the EU capital, has strategic significance for both civil and government traffic.
Thursday’s closure was the latest in a string of disruptions. Zaventem halted operations twice on Tuesday.
Drones have also been spotted over military sites in recent days – including Limburg, home to a base hosting nuclear bombers, on Tuesday and Wednesday, and near Florennes, where Belgium’s new F-35 fighter jets are stationed, on Thursday. Separate sightings were reported over a nuclear research facility in Mol.
A wider European pattern
The incursions come amid a broader uptick in drone activity across Europe. In September, 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting Warsaw to invoke NATO’s Article 4 and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to call for a “drone wall” in her annual State of the Union speech.
Since then, sightings have disrupted airports in Copenhagen and Oslo, and triggered new debate over the adequacy of Europe’s air defences. Several countries had pledged air defences to protect Danish airspace ahead of an EU leaders’ meeting in early October.
Although in all cases except for Poland, responsibility remains unconfirmed, officials have described the operations as “capable,” implying a state actor.
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said on Thursday morning that “it’s clear who is responsible,” without naming names. Russia has repeatedly denied involvement.
Belgian media have reported that authorities suspect Moscow’s hand, citing Belgium’s role as host to around €140 billion in frozen Russian assets held by clearing house Euroclear.
Those funds are at the centre of EU discussions on how to channel money to support Ukraine. The Commission has proposed converting them into “reparation loans,” which Kyiv could use for defence spending without repayment until Moscow agrees to pay reparations.
Belgium has so far stalled the scheme, seeking watertight legal justification and assurances that it would not face retaliation or financial liability alone.
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Belgium’s response
Prime Minister Bart de Wever convened a crisis meeting earlier on Thursday to coordinate the response to the drone incursions. The government decided to accelerate work on the National Airspace Security Centre, which is now due to become fully operational by January 2026. The agency, located about 30km east of Brussels, will serve as a central hub for monitoring and analysing incidents in Belgian airspace.
Francken also spoke to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who pledged allied support to shore up Belgium’s air defences. Germany announced shortly before Thursday’s airport closure that it would deploy counter-drone capabilities to assist. The first German air force troops have already arrived in Belgium to assess the situation, with larger contingents to follow, according to Berlin’s defence ministry.
On Friday, Francken is set to present a €50 million drone-defence plan to the Belgian cabinet and discuss further coordination with EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.
(cp, cz)
