Drone Sightings Are Disrupting Flights Across Europe

Two of Belgium’s busiest airports, Brussels and Liège, were facing intermittent closures throughout the day on 11/04/25 due to reported drone sightings. Starting at roughly 19:00 UTC, or 20:00 local time, air traffic was halted at the Brussels airport. Soon after, Liege airport shut down due to drone sightings as well.

Brussels reopened, then closed again following a second sighting. Diversions were reported to Charleroi, Brussels South, and Ostend-Bruges. By early Wednesday, Brussels reported that departures had resumed, albeit with lingering delays and cancellations.

Belgium’s Experience with Drone Sightings

In recent weeks, Europe has witnessed an increase in drone sightings and activity, with Belgium in particular experiencing a rise in sightings near its military bases. Some outlets framed the twin shutdowns as part of a broader European security problem.

Are the Drone (Sightings) Real?

Two main factors strengthen the case that the sightings were real operational events, not rumors: consistent, on-record confirmations from air traffic control and airport spokespeople, as well as route diversions to multiple nearby airports.

At the same time, officials have not publicly displayed a recovered device or named perpetrators.

Some Belgian officials believe these drones are part of an ongoing ‘spy operation’ that is taking place near these critical infrastructure locations. Belgium was previously targeted on the nights of November 1st, 2nd, and 3rd by drones that loitered near a military installation.

DroneXL’s Take

In the end, Belgium’s government says it does not yet know who is behind these drones, though investigators are clearly at work. What remains unanswered is how aircraft could loiter over military installations and then over two of the country’s busiest airports without an interception or visible countermeasure.

That gap matters. It highlights a broader vulnerability that is not unique to Belgium. Similar reports have surfaced across Europe in recent months, and this week’s disruptions suggest the pattern is accelerating.

Until authorities provide clear answers, the prudent course of action is to remain aware. Travelers should check flight status early and often. Airports and local officials should communicate quickly and plainly when sightings occur.

Most of all, national agencies need to close the gap between detection and response with layered counter-UAS tools and clear playbooks.