Belgian authorities closed the airspace above Brussels Zaventem Airport on Tuesday night after multiple drone sightings. The public broadcaster VRT reported that all flights were suspended as officials investigated the incursions. The first drone appeared around 8 p.m., forcing immediate flight diversions to Ostend-Bruges and Charleroi Brussels South airports.
Brussels Airport briefly reopened but closed again after a second drone was detected overhead. Liège Airport, which initially received diverted aircraft, also suspended operations following a separate drone sighting. The public company skeyes, responsible for managing Belgium’s civil airspace, confirmed it redirected flights and coordinated with aviation police to secure the area.
NATO and EU Heighten Military Vigilance
NATO and the European Union remain on high alert after several suspected Russian airspace violations in recent weeks. The alliance issued a warning to Moscow at the end of September, vowing to use every means to prevent future breaches. Recent incidents involved Russian drones over Poland and unauthorised fighter jet activity over Estonia.
Poland’s incident on 10 September marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Estonia also reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes without permission, a claim the Kremlin denies.
Europe Responds to Russian Airspace Intrusions
The repeated incursions alarmed European leaders and renewed debate over NATO’s readiness against escalating Russian aggression. Following the violation of Polish airspace, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte launched the Eastern Sentry programme to deter future incidents and reinforce solidarity with Poland.
“We see drones violating our airspace, and whether deliberate or not, it remains unacceptable,” Rutte stated. “Allies stand firmly with Poland. Our mission is clear—counter aggression and defend every NATO member.”
The latest Belgian drone incidents added to growing concerns across Europe, with officials linking them to broader patterns of aerial provocation near NATO borders.
