BRUSSELS: The US president’s plane could face a fine of 10,000 euros when it lands at the Brussels Airport due to acceptable noise level restrictions in the region, said Marc Descheemaecker, the chairman of the board of Brussels Airport.
President Trump will visit Brussels on May 25 for the NATO summit.
People in and around the Zaventem area have been protesting against noise pollution due to planes for years. The ongoing row between Brussels and Flanders over noise levels of planes using Brussels Airport (located in Flanders) has triggered yet another controversy.
Descheemaecker warns that the disagreement could lead to absurd situations: "We are extremely happy about the US president flying to Brussels, the 'capital of Europe'. The whole country will be doing its utmost to ensure security, but the Brussels region will probably impose a fine of about €10,000. We will be made to look ridiculous.”
It is necessary for Flanders and Brussels to establish a timeline to reach an agreement on the acceptable noise levels, he said.
The Brussels region has tightened its restrictions on acceptable noise levels of planes overflying the region. At present, the region is meting out fines for noisy aircraft landing between 11PM and 7AM but is not yet collecting them.
Mr Descheemaecker also said that US tourists have been avoiding Brussels: "The hotel sector is complaining. Then we are going to impose a fine on the person some people view as the most powerful man on earth. It's a little ridiculous."