Brussels Airport starts work on quieter aircraft engine testing facility

Brussels Airport has started construction of a new facility where aircraft engines can be tested at full power after maintenance. The new ground run-up enclosure will have a U-shaped design with 15-metre-high noise barriers, which are expected to reduce noise by up to 10 decibels, reducing the sound produced by 50%.

The facility will cover 8,000 square metres and accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. Engine tests are essential safety procedures, with around 150 to 200 tests taking place each year.

The project represents an investment of more than €15 million and is being built on a section of tarmac where several outdated buildings have been demolished. Construction will not affect airport operations, and the new facility is expected to be completed by the end of March 2027.

More details are available in Brussels Airport’s official announcement.