Belgium introduces new measures to cut aircraft noise over northern Brussels

Two measures to lower aircraft noise over northern Brussels took effect on 1 October, Belgian Federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke said. They cover aircraft landing on runway 07L using the RNP 07L approach, a satellite-based procedure in service since July 2025.

Arriving aircraft will stay higher for longer before entering Brussels airspace, then descend more steeply. The aim is to cut the noise heard by people living beneath the approach. Aircraft will also fly a more direct descent than the previous profile, shortening the time spent above populated areas.

The RNP 07L route has been disputed since it was introduced. Brussels media figures cited in the account put the number of people exposed to noise above World Health Organization recommendations well above the level recorded under the earlier curved approach.

The changes come while the federal government is under a court-imposed deadline on measures to address aircraft noise around Brussels Airport. Crucke has also asked the air navigation service provider skeyes to look at ways to optimise the RNP 07L procedure. A study commissioned from CGX examined alternatives, among them a partial return to the former VOR 07 approach.