Walloon Ministers of Spatial Planning Willy Borsus and Environment Céline Tellier granted Liège Airport a new environmental permit on Tuesday. Nothing has changed compared to the permit that threatened to be annulled by the Council of State, but the motivation has been strengthened to meet the auditor’s comments, including on the limit of 55,000 allowed flights per year.
In late February, the auditor recommended to the State Council the annulment of the permit granted in January 2023, threatening a closure of the airport. The Walloon government quickly opted for a procedure whereby the permit would be revoked and re-granted, halting the ongoing proceedings while also strengthening the legal basis of the licence.
The offices of ministers Borsus and Tellier confirmed on Tuesday that a new permit had been delivered. At Liège Airport, “but also among our international customers”, reacted with relief, according to airport spokesman Christian Delcourt.
The 20 year license retains the limit of 55,000 flights per year. The government also approved a number of decrees implementing the licence and the territorial anchoring of the airport. Administrative sanctions in case of exceeding noise standards are more severe, and more noise meters will be installed. The government is also committed to setting up a task force to analyse the problem of airport mobility.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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