Unidentified drones were once again spotted in Belgian airspace on Thursday night, and air traffic was suspended several times at airports, writes Politico.
Liege airport was closed twice – first on the evening of the 6th of November at around ten, and then on the morning of the 7th of November at around six. Each time, the airport was closed for about an hour. Liege airport is mainly used for cargo transportation, and only receives a few passenger flights a day.
Brussels airport, which was also closed on the evening of the 4th of November due to drone sightings, diverted flights to Amsterdam on the night from the 6th to the 7th of November.
Disruptions caused by drones are becoming increasingly troublesome in Europe,
and several countries have indicated that Russia is behind the incidents. Drones were also spotted over the port of Antwerp on the evening of the 6th of November. Drones were also spotted over the Royal Non-Commissioned Officers’ School in Sint-Truiden, Flanders, on the nights of the 5th and 6th of November.
A meeting of Belgium’s National Security Council was convened on November 6, after which Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said authorities were under control.
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken has pledged to strengthen Belgium’s National Air Security Center, saying it should be fully operational by the 1st of January. The minister said the center would provide better surveillance and protection of Belgian airspace and prepare the country for future air security challenges.
Read also: Belgium closes airports due to drones