EU airport noise

With increasing air traffic in prospect, the European Union has agreed new rules on how authorities take decisions setting noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports to limit nuisance from aircraft noise.

ACT

Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Union airports within a balanced approach and repealing Directive 2002/30/EC.

SUMMARY

Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 aims to improve the noise environment around EU airports in order to ensure greater compatibility between aviation activities and residential areas, in particular in the case of night flights. The rules are based on the principles of the Balanced approach to noise management agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the United Nations' body dealing with international civil aviation.

An operating restriction can take various forms, like setting a noise or a movement limit, introducing a non-addition rule (no additional movements or operations in general, or from a specific type of aircraft) or adopting a curfew for a period of night.

Scope

The rules apply only to larger airports with more than 50 000 civil aircraft movements per year. They cover civilian aircraft but exclude military, customs and police movements. The setting of specific noise thresholds, however, remains the preserve of national and local authorities.

Competent authorities

EU countries each appoint competent authorities which take charge of the procedures to be followed for the adoption of operating restrictions. These must be independent of any party that might have a conflict of interest.

Right of review

Before introducing operating restrictions, competent authorities have to give 6 months' notice to the other Member States, the European Commission and interested parties. The Commission may, within 3 months of receiving the notice, examine the case. If it considers the procedures do not respect the rules, it notifies the competent authority which must, in turn, inform it of the action it intends to take.

Health aspects

EU legislation regarding the impacts of noise on human health (Directive 2002/49/EC) must be taken into account when any decision is taken on noise reduction objectives.

Noise performance information

Decisions on operating restrictions must be taken based on individual aircraft noise performance data provided by the operators. This information will be centralised in a database and made available to competent authorities, airlines, air navigation service providers, airports and airport users.

Assessment of noise and information for residents

Competent authorities must ensure the regular monitoring of noise levels at airports for which they are responsible. If from their evaluation it emerges that operation restrictions could be a cost-effective measure to mitigate noise, a consultation process needs to be organised rapidly and interested parties have 3 months to submit their views before the adoption of restrictions.

Authorities must also ensure that information on operating restrictions is promptly and freely available to local residents and local authorities.

Phasing-out of noisy aircraft

Noise mitigation measures may include the withdrawal of, or extra restrictions upon, the noisier aircraft among those permitted by ICAO rules. Authorities will decide on the annual rate for reducing the number of movements by such aircraft for each operator at a given airport, up to a maximum of 25 %.

Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 repeals Directive 2002/30/EC with effect from 13 June 2016.

RELATED ACTS

Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise (Official Journal L 189 of 18 July 2002).

Last updated: 01.08.2014