Liege court rejects airport noise claims

30 June 2004

BRUSSELS – An appeals court in Liege on Tuesday rejected a demand from some 750 families living near Bierset airport that night flights be stopped because they are too noisy, it was reported Wednesday.

Instead, the court said that Wallonian authorities should put into place measures they had already agreed to, namely to re-route flights based on a system devised by a group of experts.

The appeals court found no fault with Wallonian authorities, express company TNT and the operator of Bierset airport related to the noise, and rejected the plaintiffs’ demand for a study of noise incidence at Bierset and the surrounding area as unnecessary.

Luc Misson, the lawyer for the residents, called the ruling “surprising” and said the plaintiffs would seek to bring a claim before the International Court of Human rights.

“This is the first real defeat for the families in six years,” he told Belga news agency.

Speaking on behalf of Bierset airport, Pierre Ramquet called the decision important and courageous.

“It’s positive for the region, for Liege and for justice,” he said.

Subject : Belgian news