Published on
November 5, 2025
Thousands of travelers were stranded across Poland, Spain, Denmark, Italy, and more as drone disruptions temporarily closed Brussels, Charleroi, and Liège airports in Belgium. The shutdown, caused by drone sightings near these key airports, led to 61 flight cancellations and 70 delays, affecting major airlines such as SAS, Finnair, Air Canada, Emirates, EasyJet, and others. With airspace closed and operations halted, passengers faced significant disruptions, including rerouted flights and extended waiting times, as they sought alternative routes or accommodations.
A major travel disruption unfolded across Europe on Tuesday evening when drone sightings caused temporary shutdowns of three key Belgian airports—Brussels, Charleroi, and Liège—resulting in the cancellation of 61 flights and 70 delays. This incident, which began due to the drones flying in restricted airspace, has affected thousands of travelers across Poland, Spain, Denmark, Italy, and other destinations. Airlines like SAS, Finnair, Air Canada, Emirates, EasyJet, and many others are now working to clear the backlog, but many passengers remain stranded or severely delayed.
Drone Activity Leads to Temporary Airport Closures
The disruption started when drones were spotted near Brussels Airport, prompting a full operational shutdown. The airport initially confirmed a temporary halt to air operations after the drones were observed over the airfield. As a result, flights approaching the airport were diverted, first to Liège and then to Maastricht, Eindhoven, Ostend-Bruges, and Cologne Bonn airports, as further drone activity was spotted over Liège Airport.
The situation escalated as drones were also reported near military bases in Belgium, including Florennes Air Base in the province of Namur and Kleine-Brogel Air Base in Peer. Though no direct connection between these military drone sightings and the airport shutdowns has been confirmed, heightened security around these sites raised concerns over the potential risks of drone incursions in sensitive areas.
Flight Cancellations and Delays at Brussels Airport
As a result of the airspace closures, 61 flights at Brussels Airport were cancelled, and 70 flights were delayed. The cancellations and delays impacted both short- and long-haul travel, with passengers from several European destinations affected. The impact was felt across many airlines, including SAS, Finnair, Air Canada, Emirates, EasyJet, and others. Passengers were left stranded, with many diverted to alternate airports in the region.
Here’s a breakdown of the flight cancellations at Brussels Airport:
Charleroi and Liège Airports Also Affected
Though Brussels Airport was the primary site of the disruptions, Charleroi and Liège Airports also reported delays, though with fewer cancellations. At Charleroi Airport, the total delays were recorded at 24 with no cancellations. The delays were mainly from airlines like Brussels Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and Ryanair. Liège Airport recorded 2 cancellations and a few delays impacting Air Arabia Maroc and SAS flights.
The most significant delays at Charleroi involved passengers traveling to Spain and the UK, who had to wait at the terminal for hours due to rerouted flights. Similarly, Ryanair, which operates a high volume of short-haul flights, had several of its services delayed.
Impact on Travelers Across Europe
- Poland: Passengers traveling from Poland found themselves stranded, rerouted, or significantly delayed due to the closures at Brussels, Charleroi, and Liège airports.
- Spain: Travelers from Spain faced disruptions as their flights were either delayed for hours or canceled altogether.
- Denmark: Passengers from Denmark were affected, with many facing rerouted flights or extended waiting times at alternate airports.
- Italy: Travelers from Italy, including flights from Rome (FCO) and Milan (MXP), had their routes significantly impacted, with connecting flights grounded or diverted to alternate airports.
For example:
- Vueling and easyJet holidaymakers traveling to Spain were also affected by the chaos, with many of them experiencing hours of delays or flight cancellations.
- SAS passengers traveling from Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN) and Copenhagen (CPH) were among the first to feel the disruption, with flights to and from Brussels canceled or delayed.
The Aftermath and Airline Responses
With the airspace above Brussels, Charleroi, and Liège reopened after a temporary shutdown of several hours, airlines and airport authorities began efforts to clear the backlog of canceled and delayed flights. Both SAS and Finnair, which had several cancellations in their schedules, issued advisories and compensations for affected passengers, ensuring them alternative routes or refunds for flights that could not be rescheduled.
Passengers were advised to check for real-time updates and stay in contact with their respective airlines, as the high volume of cancellations and delays could extend throughout the day. Moreover, travelers affected by the cancellations were offered rebooking options, but the process was slow due to the increased volume of passengers seeking assistance.
While Brussels Airlines apologized for the inconvenience, offering compensation to affected passengers, many travelers expressed frustration with the lack of communication during the critical moments of disruption. The suddenness of the airspace closures, combined with the lack of immediate action, led to confusion at the airports as well.
Drone Disruptions and Aviation Security in Belgium
This incident highlights the increasing risks posed by drones to aviation security. The sighting of drones near airports is not a new issue, but it is one that has escalated in recent years, especially near critical infrastructure like civilian airports and military bases. With the Federal Police now investigating the situation, it remains to be seen whether the drone sightings were coordinated or simply isolated incidents.
The Belgian authorities and Eurocontrol are likely to review their current drone detection and mitigation protocols to ensure that this type of disruption does not recur. Given the significant impact on air travel and tourism, ensuring the security of airspace is paramount.
The drone-related disruption at Brussels, Charleroi, and Liège Airports was a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by airports worldwide in the age of drone technology. The 61 flight cancellations and 70 delays affected thousands of travelers, including those from Poland, Spain, Denmark, Italy, and beyond. Airlines like SAS, Finnair, Air Canada, and Emirates have been working hard to minimize the disruption, but the aftermath will likely impact the reputation of Brussels as a key transit hub in Europe.
Thousands of travelers were stranded across Poland, Spain, Denmark, Italy, and more as drone disruptions temporarily closed Brussels, Charleroi, and Liège airports in Belgium, leading to 61 flight cancellations and 70 delays. The incidents, caused by drone sightings near key airports, affected major airlines such as SAS, Finnair, Air Canada, Emirates, EasyJet, and others.
For now, the priority remains for passengers to remain updated on their flight statuses, and for authorities to put in place more stringent measures to counteract such disruptions in the future. As the aviation community works toward recovery, the future of drone regulation in European airspace remains a critical point of focus.
