ACI Europe urges uniform EU noise policies to protect airport capacity and regional growth

ACI Europe has emphasised the need for a consistent and effective approach to managing aircraft noise across European airports, stressing that coordinated implementation is crucial for environmental, economic, and social outcomes. The Noise Balanced Approach, developed under ICAO guidelines and embedded in EU law, offers a structured framework that allows airports to minimise noise impacts while maintaining operational efficiency and connectivity.

The EU Noise Balanced Approach Regulation outlines a sequence of measures that authorities must consider before imposing operational restrictions. The first pillar focuses on reducing noise at the source, encouraging the introduction of quieter aircraft and accelerating fleet renewal programs. The second pillar covers land-use planning and management, including zoning, building restrictions, and noise insulation programs designed to reduce exposure in nearby communities. The third pillar addresses operational measures, such as optimised flight paths, preferential runway use, and continuous descent procedures that reduce noise during departures and arrivals.

These measures must be implemented alongside socio-economic and cost-effectiveness analyses to ensure they deliver tangible benefits. Operational restrictions, such as night flight bans or movement caps, are intended only when all other mitigation measures are insufficient. This approach balances environmental protection with the economic and social role of airports, allowing them to continue supporting regional connectivity and economic activity.

Despite this framework, implementation across the EU remains uneven. Some Member States have applied restrictions without fully evaluating alternative measures or conducting the required cost-effectiveness assessments. This inconsistency can undermine noise reduction efforts and limit airport capacity, potentially affecting trade, tourism, and regional economic growth.

Airports across Europe are actively adopting strategies to mitigate noise through operational improvements and technological innovation. Continuous descent operations, performance-based navigation, and optimised runway allocation are increasingly standard practices, allowing aircraft to maintain smoother and quieter flight paths. Airports are also using incentive schemes to encourage airlines to operate quieter aircraft, including differential landing fees and rewards for retiring older, noisier models.

The impact of these initiatives is evident in data from the European Environment Agency, which projects that by 2030, the number of people highly affected by aircraft noise in the EU could decline by roughly one-third. These results reflect a combination of operational efficiency, fleet modernization, land-use planning, and community-focused mitigation strategies.

Effective noise management also relies on transparency and engagement with local communities. Many airports have implemented real-time monitoring systems, flight tracking platforms, and public reporting mechanisms, enabling residents to understand noise patterns and mitigation efforts. These initiatives not only support compliance with regulations but also foster trust between airports and surrounding communities.

Economic considerations remain central to the Balanced Approach. Airports act as hubs for trade, tourism, and employment, and unnecessary operational restrictions can limit connectivity and reduce economic benefits. By following the regulation’s structured framework, authorities can achieve noise mitigation without compromising the capacity of airports to support regional and national development.

The regulation’s design reflects a broader goal of integrating environmental sustainability with practical aviation management. By combining operational, technological, and land-use measures, European authorities can implement noise mitigation that is evidence-based, proportional, and aligned with international standards. This approach represents best practices in sustainable aviation management and ensures that noise reduction efforts complement rather than hinder the economic and social contributions of airports.

Coordinated implementation requires collaboration between regulators, airports, and airlines. Authorities must rigorously evaluate mitigation strategies and ensure cost-effectiveness analyses are applied consistently. Operational restrictions should remain a measure of last resort. Meanwhile, airports must continue investing in technological advancements, operational improvements, and community engagement to maintain effective and sustainable noise management programs.

In summary, the consistent application of the EU Noise Balanced Approach Regulation is essential to achieving meaningful noise reduction while preserving the economic and social value of airports. By integrating noise reduction at source, land-use planning, and operational optimisation, European airports can reduce noise exposure, maintain connectivity, and contribute to regional growth. A unified and evidence-based approach across Member States will ensure that noise management policies deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits, safeguarding the sustainability of European aviation for the future.

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