Techno festival suspected source of dangerous laser incidents above Dilbeek

Green laser beams that interfered with aircraft pilots over Dilbeek, Belgium, this past weekend are suspected to have originated from the XRDS techno festival held in Anderlecht. Air traffic control agency Skeyes and local police are investigating the incidents, which saw pilots targeted with laser light shortly before landing.

“

There are so many things to do simultaneously in the cockpit, by both pilots. If you are then hindered by an unexpected external event, in this case, a laser beam, it can have major consequences.

Skeyes reported five separate laser incidents occurring in quick succession on Saturday evening, starting around 9:45 PM. Aviation experts highlighted the extreme danger of such disruptions during critical landing phases. "There are so many things to do simultaneously in the cockpit, by both pilots," aviation expert Luk De Wilde told VRT NWS. "If you are then hindered by an unexpected external event, in this case, a laser beam, it can have major consequences."

While initial speculation linked the lasers to ongoing resident protests against increased noise from the RNP 07L flight path, action committees formally denied any involvement. These committees, however, pointed fingers at the XRDS techno festival. Video footage appears to show a light installation emitting green lasers towards the audience and the sky during a DJ set by Batu, which took place between 9 PM and 11 PM on Saturday. The Dilbeek police zone, which responded to the laser reports, considers this a plausible lead.

“

In any case, such laser beams can cause strange effects when they are refracted through the glass of the cockpit. That is not without danger.

Crucially, the XRDS festival, held in Anderlecht, did not possess the mandatory permit from the Directorate-General Civil Aviation for its laser light show. Festival organizers stated they were unaware of this requirement. Skeyes spokesperson Kurt Verwilgen confirmed that such laser beams can cause dangerous optical effects when refracted through cockpit windows. "At the time of the incidents, we certainly didn't consider the festival a possible source. It is still too early to determine a definitive cause," Verwilgen added, noting that aiming lasers at aircraft is both dangerous and punishable by law.

“

At the time of the incidents, we certainly didn't consider the festival a possible source. It is still too early to determine a definitive cause.