Brussels Airport Builds New Aircraft Engine Test Facility with Noise Barriers

Brussels Airport is embarking on the construction of a new, state-of-the-art test facility for aircraft engines. This significant investment, costing over 15 million euros, aims to address long-standing noise pollution issues for surrounding communities while ensuring critical safety checks for aircraft engines after maintenance.

The new U-shaped facility will span 8,000 square meters, large enough to accommodate wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing B787. Crucially, it will be equipped with 15-meter-high noise barriers designed to reduce sound levels by up to 10 decibels. This reduction is expected to make the noise perceived by residents in areas like Humelgem and Steenokkerzeel roughly half as loud as before.

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The trial running of aircraft engines after maintenance is necessary for aviation safety. With this investment, we combine that safety requirement with a concrete reduction of noise pollution for our immediate neighbors.

Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, emphasized the dual purpose of the project. "With this investment, we combine that safety requirement with a concrete reduction of noise pollution for our immediate neighbors," he stated. He added that the new facility is part of broader initiatives to make the airport more sustainable and quieter.

The testing of aircraft engines at full power is a legally mandated safety procedure. Previously conducted in the open air, these tests occur between 150 and 200 times annually, strictly during daytime hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.). The construction, which began with foundation work, will not impact ongoing airport operations. The entire project is slated for completion by the end of March 2027.

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This new test facility is one of the initiatives with which we continue to work towards a more sustainable and quieter airport.