Brussels Airport tests steeper approach routes for less noise pollution

Brussels Airport and air traffic controller Skeyes are starting demonstration flights with landings at a steeper angle on Tuesday. This test aims to analyze whether there is a positive impact on noise pollution, CO2 emissions, and fuel consumption.

The tests are part of the HERON (Highly Efficient Green Operations) project, a broad international consortium of 26 partners from 11 countries partly funded by the European Union.

From 3.0 to 3.2 and 3.5 degrees

The purpose of the demonstration flights is to measure the environmental impact of the Increased Second Glide Slope solution. This focuses specifically on reducing noise pollution during the aircraft approach phase.

By landing at a steeper angle, the airplanes will remain higher for a more extended period and fly slower, reducing noise impact on residents. This will be the first time they will be tested in a fully operational environment.

The demonstration flights will occur on the airport’s most frequently used runways, 25R and 25L. The first phase runs from October to December on 25R and uses a descent angle of 3.2 degrees instead of the usual 3.0. During the second phase, from February to April 2025, the descent angle will remain at 25R, while that at 25L will be increased to 3.5 degrees.

Satellite-based augmentation systems

The participating airlines are DHL, Brussels Airlines, TUI, and Vueling.

Eurocontrol, a European air traffic control company and Airbus aircraft manufacturer is developing an increased Second Glide Slope (ISGS) as part of the SESAR program, a European initiative to modernize air traffic management.

CINEA, the European Executive Agency for Climate, Infrastructure, and the Environment, supports that project. Thanks to the implementation of satellite-based and ground-based augmentation systems, airspace users can follow more flexible flight paths.

The solution can also improve time efficiency in off-peak periods, where ISGS optimizes the arrival flight profile for the aircraft types that can use it, reducing their arrival flying time.