Belgium closed its airspace over Brussels Zaventem Airport on Tuesday night after reports of a drone flying above the airfield. The public broadcaster VRT confirmed that all departing and arriving flights were suspended following the initial sighting.
Authorities briefly reopened the airspace before closing it again when a second drone appeared. Liège Airport, which initially received diverted planes, also suspended operations after a separate drone incident. A spokesperson for Skeyes, Belgium’s civil aviation authority, said the first sighting occurred around 8 p.m., forcing aircraft to divert to Ostend-Bruges and Charleroi Brussels South.
Europe on Alert Amid Suspected Russian Violations
Both NATO and the European Union remain on high alert after a series of recent airspace intrusions believed to involve Russia. The incidents follow weeks of rising tension across European skies. NATO issued a warning to Moscow in late September, promising to defend its airspace “by all means” after Russian drones were downed over Poland and Estonian officials reported unauthorized fighter jet entries.
The September 10 breach in Poland marked the first direct NATO-Russia confrontation since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Estonia said three Russian MiG-31 jets crossed into its airspace for twelve minutes without clearance, a charge the Kremlin denied.
NATO Launches New Defence Initiative
European leaders reacted with alarm, questioning NATO’s readiness against increasing Russian provocation. Following the airspace violation in Poland, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte unveiled the Eastern Sentry programme to deter further Russian incursions and strengthen Poland’s defences.
“We continue to see drones entering our airspace,” Rutte said. “Whether deliberate or not, this behaviour is unacceptable. All allies stand firmly with Poland. We must counter aggression and protect every NATO member.”
The new programme underscores NATO’s resolve as both military and civilian airspace security across Europe faces growing pressure from Russian actions.
