Air traffic at Brussels Airport was briefly halted for around thirty minutes on Thursday evening after new reports of drone activity near the site.
The alert was raised around 7 p.m., though air traffic controller Skeyes said the information had not been formally confirmed. For safety reasons, Belgian airspace is automatically closed following such reports, resuming only after 30 minutes if no further activity is detected.
“Flights have resumed since 9:53 p.m.,” a Brussels Airport spokeswoman told Nieuwsblad. “We diverted one flight to Amsterdam. We’ll see how things develop.” The exact flight and number of passengers were not immediately disclosed.
Local media reported that not all flights were suspended, as aircraft movements remained visible on tracking platforms like Flightradar24. The incident follows two drone-related interruptions on Tuesday evening, when pilots also reported unidentified flying devices near Zaventem.
At Liège Airport, air traffic was briefly halted Thursday evening after a similar report. Operations resumed within an hour, according to Belgian news agency Belga.
Meanwhile, police confirmed drone activity above and around the SCK CEN nuclear research centre in Mol. Officers responding to reports managed to see one device but could not determine its origin. “They have also been seen over the European Quarter and the European School,” police spokesperson Robert Lehaen told RTBF.
The Balen Dessel Mol police zone lacks an anti-drone unit, limiting its response to visual tracking. “We deploy patrols each time, but identifying the drone’s trajectory is difficult, especially in darkness,” Lehaen said.
At approximately 9 p.m. Thursday, several drones were also spotted near the Florennes airbase in Namur province. The town’s mayor confirmed “strong suspicions” and said local authorities and the military were in continuous communication. Drones were similarly observed over Florennes earlier in the week, shortly after the arrival of Belgium’s first F-35 fighter jets.
With suspicious drone activity rising, Germany announced its support for Belgium’s counter-drone efforts. “At Belgium’s request, the Bundeswehr will support our neighbouring country in the short term by providing capabilities to combat small unmanned aerial systems,” Germany’s Defence Ministry stated.
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Franken confirmed the cooperation on X, describing it as a “critical step” in strengthening national and regional airspace security.
Several European countries have reported similar incidents near sensitive installations in recent months. Just last weekend, the Kleine Brogel airbase — which hosts U.S. nuclear weapons — was overflown three times, sparking a military intelligence probe.
Authorities remain on high alert as investigations continue into the source and intent behind these drone incursions.
