New drone sightings disrupt flights at Brussels and Liège airports

Drone sightings caused disruption to air traffic at Brussels Airport and Bierset Airport near Liège on Thursday evening. Flights at both airports have since resumed.

Thursday's incident marks the second time in a week that air traffic at Brussels Airport had to be halted due to a drone. Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere in Europe, including in Copenhagen, Oslo, Aalborg and Munich.

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As a precaution, flights were suspended for half an hour starting at around 21:20 on Thursday after a drone was spotted at Brussels Airport, said a spokesperson. 

The suspension is standard procedure in the event of a "serious sighting", said air traffic controller skeyes. Eight departing and 22 arriving flights were scheduled at the airport when the interruption occurred.

National Security Council

At Bierset Airport near Liège, air traffic was also suspended from shortly before 22:00 until 23:20 due to a drone sighting. The standard procedure was implemented there too. 

Belgium called an emergency meeting of its National Security Council on Thursday to discuss the threat posed by drones following recent sightings above military areas and Brussels Airport. 

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Prior to the meeting, Defence minister Theo Francken said that he wanted to make the country's National Airspace Security Centre operational as soon as possible and increase counter-drone capabilities.

^{Brussels Airport © PHOTO NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP}

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