International experts to decide about Brussels Airport?
Feist thinks it's about time the matter is settled after 10 years of discussions. Noise nuisance caused by Brussels Airport has been on the table for years, triggering frictions between the political families and also the different (regional) political levels. A flight plan that is good for Flanders, is bad news for Brussels, and vice versa.
"If you stay in Belgium, you won't be able to work it out. I think that's clear", Mr Feist said. "Suppose we hire a panel of Belgian experts. You would immediately have the discussion whether they should be Francophones or Flemings."
It would be a good idea to look across the border. "The issue has become an emotional one in Belgium. There are hundreds of airports in Europe, and plenty of experts. Why shouldn't we take a look at other countries and listen to what they have to say?"
The matter becomes even more complicated as different noise nuisance levels apply to Brussels and Flanders. Airlines risk heavy fines if they exceed the stringent Brussels noise nuisance standards. Feist claims that this is also the reason why "two major clients" have moved their activities away from Brussels Airport to Amsterdam. "I hope people understand that this has an enormous economic impact."
