Majority of Brussels Airport noise fines remain unpaid as overflight dispute intensifies
Less than 20 per cent of fines imposed for aircraft noise pollution around Brussels Airport have been collected since 2000, according to figures reported by Le Soir. The revelations come as tensions rise between federal authorities and several Brussels mayors over flight paths that have increased overflights of densely populated areas.
Over the past 25 years, the Brussels-Capital Region has imposed 1,580 “alternative administrative fines” on airlines that exceeded noise limits, amounting to nearly 32 million euros. However, barely 6 million euros have actually been paid, and legal costs still have to be deducted from that sum.
Of the total amount, 10.8 million euros is considered “definitively unpaid”, meaning recovery procedures have been halted. A further 6.3 million euros is classified as “not recoverable”, although attempts at amicable settlement can technically continue for another 10 years. An additional 8 million euros in fines remains tied up in ongoing appeals. In total, more than half (54 per cent) of the fines appear to be definitively unpaid.
The figures highlight long-standing difficulties in enforcing regional noise regulations at the national airport, an issue that has again come to the fore this week.
On Monday evening, federal Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke of Les Engagés said he was willing to meet again with several Brussels mayors to discuss aircraft noise, if they requested further talks. The offer followed criticism from the mayors of Koekelberg, Schaerbeek and Molenbeek, who had expressed disappointment after a meeting with Crucke’s cabinet earlier in the day.
The dispute centres on the RNP-07 flight route, introduced last summer as a temporary and urgent measure. The route has resulted in around 450,000 Brussels residents being frequently overflown since the summer. Although initially presented as temporary, it now appears likely to remain in place until at least the end of October, despite mobilisation by citizen groups.
Tensions between mayors and government
Mayors Olivia P’tito (Koekelberg, PS), Audrey Henry (Schaerbeek, MR) and Amet Gjanaj (Molenbeek, PS) denounced the “unacceptable” delay during what they described as a “disappointing meeting” with Crucke's office on 4 February, held “after months of insistence”.
Crucke said he remained open to further consultation and would invite the Mobility ministry and air traffic controller Skeyes to participate.
“The debate on overflying Brussels deserves a rigorous and responsible approach,” he said in a statement. “This is a technical and regulatory issue that requires answers based on facts and objective studies. Personalising or politicising the issue does not contribute to a better understanding of the challenges, nor to a concrete improvement in the situation for citizens.”
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO BELPRESS
Related news
