AeroLogic and DHL Express are involved in a political dispute between the Belgian federal and Flemish governments over the use of B777 freighters on night-time flights to/from Brussels National Airport.
Flemish minister Ben Weyts intends to challenge a measure ending an exception permitting AeroLogic to use B777-200Fs for night flights, claiming this could increase noise pollution by up to 60pc, and prefers the larger B777s to remain in operation at the airport.
Flemish interior minister Gwendolyn Rutten highlighted the importance of DHL using B777s for the Flemish economy and threatened to invoke a conflict of interest if the instruction is not withdrawn.
Federal minister Georges Gilkinet issued the instruction to enforce the use of quieter aircraft at the airport to minimize noise impact on residents, citing alleged violations of noise pollution regulations by companies using B777 freighters. A DHL Group spokesperson confirmed that the potential withdrawal of authorization for B777F night flights could lead to greater noise disturbance for local residents.
