Local Residents

Freight volumes are growing significantly, but this does not necessarily mean more aircraft movements. Instead, aircraft are becoming larger and more heavily loaded.

The increase in activity is largely driven by the growth of e-commerce, reflecting current consumption patterns.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Liege Airport was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of its reference airports (one of four worldwide). It therefore played a key role in transporting medical supplies across the globe, fully supporting its function as a health-focused airport.

Yes, that is true. However, the number of aircraft and trucks remains within reasonable levels.

Currently, several hundred trucks per day come to the airport to load and unload goods. To better understand mobility challenges across the entire airport area, the Walloon Public Service has conducted a study covering various aspects of mobility (cars, trucks, soft mobility, etc.).

For comparison, around 140,000 trucks travel through Belgium every day. The ongoing environmental impact assessment will address all mobility-related issues. In addition, the airport is taking initiatives to reduce the number of trucks on roads and motorways, for example by transporting fuel by barge via the river to the Wandre fuel depot.

No. During take-off, aircraft must follow a predefined flight corridor up to an altitude of 5,000 feet (1.5 km). Once this altitude is reached, they can proceed towards their final destination.

During landing, aircraft progressively align with a precise guidance system, which they intercept at around 3,000 feet (0.9 km), allowing them to land safely.

Flight paths have remained unchanged for many years. However, reverse operations, caused by changes in wind direction, may result in unusual overflight patterns in certain areas.

In reality, air transport represents only a very small share of global freight. Rail, maritime transport, and especially road transport account for around 97% of all goods transported worldwide, while air transport represents only 3%.

Goods that need to be transported over long distances and within short timeframes are typically carried by air.

For comparison, Liege Airport handled 1 million tonnes of freight in 2024, while during the same year, the Port of Liège handled 16 million tonnes, and the Port of Antwerp handled 277 million tonnes.

In Belgium in 2024, 261 million tonnes of goods were transported by road, and 164 million tonnes by inland waterways.

As part of the renewal of its environmental permit in 2023, the airport commissioned an environmental impact assessment. This assessment included all airport expansion projects and was subject to a public consultation.

A new environmental impact assessment is currently underway for the development of the Cargo City East area. Each major phase of the Master Plan will be subject to an environmental assessment.

Because there are more wide-body aircraft, which are more heavily loaded with fuel and take longer to gain altitude. It is also due to an increase in reverse operations (i.e. towards the Dutch border) for both take-offs and landings.

Changes in wind direction, linked to recurring meteorological patterns in recent years, have led to more frequent north-easterly winds. As a result, the proportion of reverse operations increased in 2019 and 2020.

The revised Noise Exposure Plan takes this increase in reverse operations into account (30%).

Visual perception is inherently subjective. In addition, wide-body aircraft are larger and heavier (carrying more fuel and cargo), which means they take longer to gain altitude. As a result, they remain visible for longer before reaching an altitude of 5,000 feet (1.5 km).

In fact, the Noise Exposure Plan (PEB) is revised every three years. The 6th revision of the PEB was adopted by decree of the Walloon Government on 18 September 2025.

For our airport, this results in a lateral extension of zones A’, B’, C’ and D’ on both sides of the runway. A total of 576 homes across 8 municipalities are affected.

The SOWAER Environnement helpdesk is available for any questions or personalised support via 0800/25.747.

Since 2013, air quality (nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter) has been continuously monitored at Liege Airport via a measurement station located near the runway and operated by the Scientific Institute of Public Service (ISSeP).

The ISSeP’s annual reports show no significant impact of airport activity on air quality. Emissions from air traffic are significantly lower than those from road traffic, local industries and domestic heating.

This is a common misconception about aviation. Globally, the aviation industry accounts for around 3% of all human-made greenhouse gas emissions.

The sector is also making continuous environmental progress. Today’s aircraft are up to 80% less polluting than those of the 1960s and are significantly quieter than in previous decades.

Ongoing research and development will further support airports and airlines in meeting their climate commitments.

SOWAER uses mobile sound level meters that can be installed near residential properties. If disturbances are confirmed, compensation may be granted in accordance with the principle of equality.