Belgium Cancels Dozens of Brussels Flights After Drone Incursions Shut Airports

The prime minister scheduled a Nov. 6 National Security Council meeting to address the repeated incursions.

Overview

Brussels Airport said 54 flights were canceled Wednesday because aircraft diverted Tuesday night could not return, while another report put the total near 40.
All Belgian airports were closed for roughly two hours on Nov. 4 after unidentified drones were sighted over civilian facilities.
Several flights diverted to Maastricht and Cologne during the shutdown, with returns delayed by Brussels Airport’s midnight–5 a.m. night closure.
Unidentified drones were also reported over the Florennes and Kleine-Brogel air bases, which host newly delivered F-35s and U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.
Defense Minister Theo Francken said forces were ordered to destroy drones over bases but lack sufficient resources and have not downed any, and he signaled Belgium may seek NATO Article 4 consultations.