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Unauthorised drone sighting forces temporary suspension of air traffic at Brussels Airport, Belgium.

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On 11 September 2026, an unauthorised drone sighting near Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Belgium, prompted the temporary suspension of aircraft landing operations at the country’s principal international aviation hub. The drone was reported at approximately 21:45 local time, triggering established aviation safety procedures implemented by Belgian air traffic control operator Skeyes. Airport authorities suspended incoming aircraft operations for approximately 20–25 minutes while personnel assessed the potential collision risk posed by the unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle. Several approaching aircraft were instructed to remain in holding patterns, while three flights were eventually diverted to alternative Belgian airports, including two to Ostend-Bruges Airport and one to Liège Airport. Brussels Airport spokesperson Quentin Mertens confirmed that landing operations were temporarily interrupted between approximately 21:50 and 22:10, after which normal operations resumed.

Occurrence
Publication
First observed
Review status
Not assessed
Countries
Belgium
Updated

Attribution

Pattern-compatible

Facts

No facts

Sources

  1. Role
    Discovery lead
    Publication

    On 11 September 2026, an unauthorised drone sighting near Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Belgium, prompted the temporary suspension of aircraft landing operations at the country’s principal international aviation hub. The drone was reported at approximately 21:45 local time, triggering established aviation safety procedures implemented by Belgian air traffic control operator Skeyes. Airport authorities suspended incoming aircraft operations for approximately 20–25 minutes while personnel assessed the potential collision risk posed by the unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle. Several approaching aircraft were instructed to remain in holding patterns, while three flights were eventually diverted to alternative Belgian airports, including two to Ostend-Bruges Airport and one to Liège Airport. Brussels Airport spokesperson Quentin Mertens confirmed that landing operations were temporarily interrupted between approximately 21:50 and 22:10, after which normal operations resumed.