Charleroi Airport has received a new environmental permit from the Walloon government. The permit for Brussels South Charleroi Airport is valid for 20 years.

The cargo-specialized Liège Airport has also received a new environmental permit. The new permit comes with several conditions related to noise pollution and the environment.

Adjusted noise rules and quota to limit late arrivals

Brussels South Charleroi Airport, for example, must reduce the number of late aircraft landings after 11 p.m. through a global quota of points. As of 2026, variable airport charges will also be introduced to encourage airlines to adopt environmentally friendly behavior, known as the Green Fee.

The number of flights will not be limited, despite complaints from residents and several municipalities about noise pollution. However, permanent and reinforced monitoring of noise and air quality around the airport will be implemented. The penalties for noise violations will also be increased, with fines of up to 10,000 euros.

Furthermore, the planning permit for Terminal 2, which was previously suspended, would be regularized. There will also be a new screening inspection station and an additional access road may be built. The new permit is valid for 20 years.

Aiming for more passengers and flights

Brussels South Charleroi Airport, with low-cost carrier Ryanair as its most prominent player, welcomed over 10 million travelers for the first time last year. According to the airport’s Master Plan, passenger numbers are expected to rise to 16 million. That means about 83,000 commercial flights will happen annually by 2045, up from 77,000 today, although more than 91,000 flight movements were recorded last year.

Brussels South Charleroi Airport accounts for more than 3,400 direct and 20,750 indirect jobs.

Few changes for Liège

Liège Airport, specialized in cargo, has also received a new permit from the Walloon government. Following a negative opinion from the auditor at the Council of State, the government withdrew the previously approved permit and issued a modified one.

Liège Airport is the largest cargo airport in Belgium. It handled more than 1.16 million tons of cargo last year. In 2024, Liège Airport recorded 37,029 flight movements, including landings and takeoffs. In the new permit, there is a maintenance of the ceiling at 55,000 aircraft movements per year, or 63,250 all types combined.

In 2021, it was estimated that aircraft at Liège Airport were responsible for approximately 1.9 million tons of CO2, or about 3.5% of Wallonia’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions (total of 54.8 million tons).

Specific figures on Charleroi Airport’s CO2 emissions are not publicly available, but according to rough calculations, they are approximately at the same level.