Speaking on 11 November, UK Civil Aviation Authority chief Richard Murray warned that the drone incursions which closed Brussels and Liège airports earlier this month show that similar attacks on UK airports are “a matter of when, not if.” The remarks were published by drone-industry outlet DroneXL and referenced the multiple shutdowns that stranded hundreds of passengers and diverted flights between 4 and 8 November in Belgium.
The article details how Belgian authorities halted operations twice in 72 hours after unidentified drones were detected near final-approach paths. The incidents triggered an emergency Belgian National Security Council meeting and requests for international assistance; the UK has since deployed Royal Air Force counter-drone specialists and equipment to Belgium.
![Belgian Airport Drone Shutdowns Prompt UK Aviation Chief’s Warning of ‘Inevitable’ Attacks]()
For global-mobility managers, the episode highlights a growing aviation-security risk that can instantly ground flights, creating cascading delays across Europe’s tightly interconnected hub network. Although the Belgian closures lasted only 30-60 minutes each, they resulted in missed intercontinental connections and forced cargo operators to reschedule overnight freighter slots critical to Belgium’s pharmaceutical export sector.
The UK CAA’s statement elevates drone disruption from a localised issue to a pan-European policy priority. Brussels Airport has already earmarked €50 million for advanced detection and jamming systems, aiming to have a National Airspace Security Centre operational by 1 January 2026. Airlines and travel insurers are reviewing force-majeure clauses, while corporate-security teams are updating crisis-management playbooks to include drone-related airspace closures.
The article details how Belgian authorities halted operations twice in 72 hours after unidentified drones were detected near final-approach paths. The incidents triggered an emergency Belgian National Security Council meeting and requests for international assistance; the UK has since deployed Royal Air Force counter-drone specialists and equipment to Belgium.
For global-mobility managers, the episode highlights a growing aviation-security risk that can instantly ground flights, creating cascading delays across Europe’s tightly interconnected hub network. Although the Belgian closures lasted only 30-60 minutes each, they resulted in missed intercontinental connections and forced cargo operators to reschedule overnight freighter slots critical to Belgium’s pharmaceutical export sector.
The UK CAA’s statement elevates drone disruption from a localised issue to a pan-European policy priority. Brussels Airport has already earmarked €50 million for advanced detection and jamming systems, aiming to have a National Airspace Security Centre operational by 1 January 2026. Airlines and travel insurers are reviewing force-majeure clauses, while corporate-security teams are updating crisis-management playbooks to include drone-related airspace closures.
