Liège, Belgium – June 25, 2025 — After nearly a quarter-century of legal wrangling, a court in Liège has awarded financial compensation to 47 local residents who endured years of noise pollution from Bierset Airport.
The decision marks a significant development in one of the region’s longest-running environmental nuisance cases.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the court confirmed that the 47 residents will receive monthly compensation ranging from €104.16 to €625, depending on the extent of noise disruption and their proximity to the airport.
The calculation was based on a 2020 ruling that established the basis for compensation, though it took five more years for the final amounts to be determined.
The recipients were part of a larger group of 251 plaintiffs who first launched a civil action in 2001. The original case not only demanded financial redress but also sought a total ban on night flights — a key source of disturbance for the affected communities. However, the court clarified that it did not have the authority to impose such a ban.
“Although the court recognized the severity of the noise pollution, it stated that imposing a prohibition on night operations falls outside its jurisdiction,” the press release stated.
Over the years, the drawn-out legal battle saw significant attrition among the plaintiffs. A total of 192 residents reached out-of-court settlements with Bierset Airport and withdrew from the proceedings. Meanwhile, 12 others either dropped the case or passed away during the 24-year span of legal proceedings.
For the remaining 47 claimants, the decision offers a long-awaited measure of justice and financial relief. Local resident Lucienne D., who lives just under two kilometers from the runway, welcomed the judgment, saying, “It’s been a long and exhausting wait, but at least our suffering is being acknowledged. This compensation won’t erase the years of sleepless nights, but it’s a step forward.”
Environmental advocates see the case as a rare victory in Belgium’s slow-moving system for environmental justice. “This ruling sends a clear message to public infrastructure operators that the rights and health of local residents cannot be disregarded,” said Jean-Marc Thiry, a lawyer involved in similar noise-related litigation across the country.
Liège Airport, also known as Bierset Airport, is one of Belgium’s major cargo hubs and operates 24/7, with night flights playing a crucial role in its logistics strategy. While vital for regional commerce, the around-the-clock operations have long drawn complaints from residents in nearby municipalities including Grâce-Hollogne and Awans.
Despite the compensation ruling, there are no immediate signs of operational changes at the airport. The Walloon government, which oversees regional transport infrastructure, has so far resisted calls to restrict night flights, citing economic importance.
For now, the 47 residents will receive their monthly payments as determined by the court. Legal experts note that the ruling could set a precedent for future claims related to environmental or noise pollution caused by infrastructure projects.
“This is a landmark judgment in terms of noise compensation,” Thiry added. “But it also underlines how painfully slow justice can be in such matters.
