In brief
In response to recent drone sightings that temporarily grounded flights at Brussels' Zaventem Airport, the Belgian government is expediting its acquisition of drone defense technologies. Defense Minister Theo Francken highlighted the evolving threat to civilian infrastructure posed by drones, ultimately leading to interventions from international allies, including Germany. The disruptions impacted around 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers, who are now receiving support for alternative travel arrangements amidst growing concerns over the rising incidence of drone-related flight disruptions across Europe.
The Belgian government has told the BBC it is urgently trying to acquire drone defences after a sighting forced its main airport near Brussels to close temporarily.
Flights were paused at Zaventem airport on Thursday night, after drones were spotted nearby. They were also seen in other locations, including a military base.
At first, drones flying over our military bases were seen as our problem, Defence Minister Theo Francken said. Now it has become a serious threat affecting civilian infrastructure across multiple European countries. Francken mentioned that several European allies have offered assistance, and he had accepted help from the German military which is providing anti-drone defences.
About 3,000 passengers of Brussels Airlines were affected by the disruptions, and the carrier said it faced considerable costs from cancelling or diverting dozens of flights.
EU compensation schemes don't apply here, Joelle Neeb of Brussels Airlines told the BBC. But we do have an obligation to make sure passengers get to their final destination as soon as possible by offering refunds of alternative flights, as well as covering their hotels and transport.
Neeb added that drones were a new threat and as such, the airline was adapting its contingency plans.
Drone sightings have caused major flight disruptions across Europe in recent months, including in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Some officials have blamed hybrid warfare by Russia, though the Kremlin has denied responsibility. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has suggested that the latest sightings could be linked to European Union discussions regarding frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Belgian security services suspect foreign involvement but lack concrete evidence as drone-related incidents continue to escalate across Europe.
