Liège Airport Halts Flights After Second Drone Sighting in a Week
Belgium’s Liège Airport temporarily halted all flights early Friday following the latest sighting of an unidentified drone, according to the country’s air traffic control authority Skeyes.
The drone was first detected around 7:30 a.m. local time (06:30 GMT), prompting officials to immediately suspend air traffic for safety reasons. Operations resumed roughly 30 minutes later after no further drone activity was reported.
This is the second time in a single week that drone activity has disrupted Liège Airport, raising questions about airspace security and the possibility of coordinated interference.
“A drone was sighted near the runway area, and as a precaution, flights were suspended temporarily,” a Skeyes spokesperson said. “Air traffic has since returned to normal.”
Series of Drone Incidents Disrupt Belgian Airports
The disruption follows similar drone sightings earlier this week at both Brussels Airport and Liège Airport on Tuesday evening, which caused major flight diversions and cancellations.
Dozens of passenger and cargo flights were grounded, leaving more than 500 travelers stranded overnight at Brussels Airport. The repeated incursions have sparked growing concern among aviation authorities and government officials.
Belgian Minister of Defence Theo Francken confirmed that drones were also spotted near a military base last Saturday, describing the pattern of sightings as a “coordinated attack,” though he stopped short of naming any suspects.
“The frequency and precision of these incursions cannot be random,” Francken said. “We are treating this as a potential security threat.”
The Belgian government convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to address the drone incidents, which come amid heightened regional tensions and broader concerns about airspace integrity across Europe.
European Drone Intrusions Raise Security Alarms
The Liège Airport incident is part of a wider wave of mysterious drone sightings across Europe in recent months, often near civilian airports and military installations.
Countries including Denmark, Germany, Norway, and Poland have all reported unauthorized drones flying over sensitive locations. Security agencies warn the incidents could be linked to hybrid warfare tactics — operations designed to destabilize or test European defenses without direct military engagement.
Denmark’s intelligence service, for example, has directly connected several recent drone incursions to Russian activities, describing them as part of an effort to “apply pressure without crossing the threshold into open conflict.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also condemned the ongoing drone incidents, calling them “acts of hybrid warfare.” While she did not directly accuse Russia, von der Leyen said the activity appears aimed at “sowing division and uncertainty” within Europe.
Moscow has denied any involvement, and no conclusive evidence has been presented linking the drone activity to the Kremlin.
NATO and EU Monitor Airspace as Security Threats Grow
The recent incidents have prompted NATO and EU member states to reinforce their air defense monitoring systems and drone detection networks.
In September, Polish and NATO forces shot down several drones that violated Polish airspace during a Russian aerial strike on Ukraine, underscoring the potential spillover of the Russia-Ukraine war into neighboring countries.
Belgian and EU officials are now calling for joint European protocols on drone surveillance, detection, and interception, noting that many airports currently lack advanced anti-drone systems capable of responding in real time.
“These drones pose not only safety risks to air traffic but also national security threats,” a senior EU aviation official told Reuters. “Europe needs a coordinated defense strategy.”
Liège Airport’s Strategic Importance
Located in eastern Belgium, Liège Airport is one of Europe’s major cargo transport hubs, handling millions of tons of freight annually.
It serves as a key logistics center for international carriers and humanitarian operations, making it a high-value target for disruption.
Experts say repeated drone sightings near Liège could be deliberate attempts to test airport defenses or interfere with critical infrastructure, given the airport’s role in global trade and supply chains.
Growing Need for Drone Regulation and Defense
As drones become cheaper and more sophisticated, European governments face increasing challenges in regulating their use and preventing misuse for espionage, sabotage, or disruption.
Belgium’s repeated airspace closures this week highlight the urgent need for cross-border drone regulation, real-time tracking systems, and counter-UAV technologies capable of jamming or disabling rogue devices.
Key Takeaways
- Incident: Drone sighting forces temporary shutdown of Liège Airport, Belgium
- Date: November 7, 2025
- Duration: ~30 minutes
- Cause: Unidentified drone near airfield
- Recent Activity: Similar incidents earlier in the week at Brussels and Liège airports
- Government Response: Emergency security meeting; investigation under way
- Regional Context: Europe-wide drone sightings tied to hybrid warfare fears
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