Belgium intensified its fight against crime and terrorism by analyzing millions of passenger movements and hundreds of thousands of flights throughout 2023
Cooperation between Belgian authorities and advanced data analysis has led to key arrests, disrupted smuggling, and stronger border controls
Throughout 2023, Belgian authorities focused on identifying and countering threats by closely monitoring passenger movements and scrutinizing over 231,000 flights. This data-driven approach allowed security agencies to detect suspicious patterns and act swiftly against possible security threats such as human trafficking and drug smuggling. As a direct result of this expanded surveillance system, authorities made 215 arrests and conducted more than 3,800 inspections, disrupting criminal operations and enhancing national security.
To support these efforts, the National Travel Targeting Center brought together police, intelligence, and customs officials, vastly improving coordination and information-sharing among Belgium’s security agencies. These partnerships helped ensure organized operations at borders and airports, making it harder for criminals to exploit travel networks. Significantly, operations also emphasized the importance of privacy protection by strictly adhering to regulations approved by Belgium’s constitutional court, balancing security needs with individual rights.
Looking ahead, the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in 2024 will impose new requirements for travelers from visa-free countries, further tightening border controls. Belgian officials expect ETIAS to complement current measures, making it even more difficult for potential threats to enter the country undetected while maintaining a commitment to protecting lawful travelers’ personal data.
