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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Lennik sues government over flight route noise pollution

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • The municipality of Lennik has filed a lawsuit against the government over increased flight noise pollution from Brussels Airport's runway 07L.
  • Lennik reports a significant rise in aircraft overflights, with landings on runway 07L more than doubling from 2024 to 2026.
  • The mayor stated the lawsuit aims to force clarity and change, as previous consultations have yielded insufficient results, but does not preclude further dialogue.

The Belgian municipality of Lennik has taken legal action against the government, filing a lawsuit over the escalating noise pollution caused by the use of runway 07L at Brussels Airport. This legal step follows earlier threats of judicial action and the appointment of a lawyer, as the municipality expressed frustration over a lack of response to its formal notice.

Lennik's local government reports a substantial increase in the number of planes flying over the area in recent months, directly linked to the intensive use of runway 07L. Data shows a sharp rise in landings on this runway, with 6,623 in the first six months of 2026, surpassing the total for all of 2025 (5,987) and nearly doubling the 2024 figure (3,223).

We clearly said in June that we would not stand idly by. Today, we are taking the next step.

— Irina De KnopThe mayor of Lennik announced the municipality's decision to file a lawsuit against the government regarding flight noise.

Mayor Irina De Knop emphasized the impact on residents' quality of life and night's sleep, stating, "We clearly said in June that we would not stand idly by. Today, we are taking the next step." She asserted that inhabitants have a right to a livable environment and a fair distribution of flight noise. While the legal proceedings are underway, De Knop stressed that further consultations with the federal government and other affected municipalities are still possible. "We remain calm and constructive, but also determined," she added, highlighting that the residents' quality of life is paramount.

We remain calm and constructive, but also determined. The quality of life of our inhabitants is not a trivial matter for us.

— Irina De KnopThe mayor expressed the municipality's firm stance on addressing flight noise issues while remaining open to dialogue.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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