Flanders activates conflict-of-interest motion against Crucke's Brussels Airport noise plan

Flemish motion filed

The Flemish government has activated a conflict-of-interest motion against decisions taken by federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) on aircraft noise at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Flanders. The step was announced on Friday, 23 October, and the file now moves to the Flemish Parliament, which must vote on it. Reports describe the outcome of that vote as very likely. If the motion is adopted, Crucke's measures would be suspended for 60 days. The question will also go before the Comité de concertation, which brings together representatives of the federal government and the federated entities.

Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) framed the step as a response to a minister acting in his own interest.

Here a minister is looking after his own interests, and we find that particularly regrettable.

What Crucke proposed

On 1 October, Crucke unveiled a package of measures to reduce noise for residents near the airport. Among its elements are a continuous descent that is quieter as aircraft approach, a study into raising the altitude at which aircraft begin their descent to 4,000 feet, and take-offs from the runway threshold outside peak periods. Structural measures, including the air law, would not be put in place before 2027. The most contested element concerns the wind rules, because the minister wants the current norm of 7 knots with gusts changed to an average of 8 knots tailwind for runways 25 and 07. According to VRT, the plan also involves steeper landings at higher altitude over northern Brussels on the 07L route, with looser wind norms so that fewer aircraft would use that route.

Flanders' objections

Diependaele argues that the plan would move noise out of Brussels and onto Flemish communities, since fewer planes over the capital means more elsewhere, notably over the Flemish periphery. Ben Weyts (N-VA), the Flemish minister responsible for the periphery, had already threatened a conflict-of-interest motion on the day the plan was first presented. Weyts objected to more aircraft noise above the region and put the dispute in blunt terms.

As far as the benefits go, Zaventem is a Belgian airport. As far as the burdens go, it is suddenly Flemish.

Diependaele said that the burdens must not keep moving toward Flanders and that a fair distribution is essential.

The burdens must not keep being shifted further toward Flanders.

Diependaele also said that the wind norm cannot simply be changed, and that any change requires a thorough assessment of its consequences, with safety first and attention for residents. Environment minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) said the government wants to force consultation in order to reach a balanced approach that protects the quality of life of residents and gives the airport legal certainty.

Timing and next steps

If the Flemish Parliament adopts the motion, Crucke's decisions are suspended for 60 days, and VRT reports that this period could in principle be extended once by another 60 days. Diependaele said he would have preferred to consult on the matter beforehand, and he called for careful dialogue between the governments involved. The dispute now shifts to the Comité de concertation, where the federal government and the federated entities must settle the question. The structural measures, including the air law, are not expected before 2027, so the question of how noise is shared between Brussels and Flanders will remain open for some time.