Brussels Airport Targets Sustainable Growth with Reduced Noise Nuisance by 2032
Brussels Airport has announced a strategic plan to increase passenger capacity to 32 million annually and freight handling to one million tonnes by 2032, up from 24.4 million passengers and 795,000 tonnes of freight in recent years. CEO Arnaud Feist emphasized that this growth will be moderate, aligned with market rates, and focused on supporting economic prosperity without causing unbridled expansion. A key component of this strategy is decoupling passenger growth from flight numbers by utilizing larger, more efficient aircraft. To mitigate environmental impact and noise nuisance for local residents, the airport has implemented aggressive differentiated pricing, where operators of older, noisier planes may face landing taxes up to 20 times higher than those using modern, quiet aircraft. Consequently, the share of noise-efficient aircraft like the Airbus A320neo rose to 42% in 2025, with a target of 60% within five to six years. Additional measures include adopting electric ground handling equipment, constructing an enclosed engine testing area by 2027, and installing new noise barriers, demonstrating the airport's commitment to reconciling operational growth with environmental responsibility.
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Brussels Airport Targets Sustainable Growth with Reduced Noise Nuisance by 2032
Brussels Airport has announced a strategic plan to increase passenger capacity to 32 million annually and freight handling to one million tonnes by 2032, up from 24.4 million passengers and 795,000 tonnes of freight in recent years. CEO Arnaud Feist emphasized that this growth will be moderate, aligned with market rates, and focused on supporting economic prosperity without causing unbridled expansion. A key component of this strategy is decoupling passenger growth from flight numbers by utilizing larger, more efficient aircraft. To mitigate environmental impact and noise nuisance for local residents, the airport has implemented aggressive differentiated pricing, where operators of older, noisier planes may face landing taxes up to 20 times higher than those using modern, quiet aircraft. Consequently, the share of noise-efficient aircraft like the Airbus A320neo rose to 42% in 2025, with a target of 60% within five to six years. Additional measures include adopting electric ground handling equipment, constructing an enclosed engine testing area by 2027, and installing new noise barriers, demonstrating the airport's commitment to reconciling operational growth with environmental responsibility.
Le Soir