Aircraft noise has been a sensitive issue for residents in areas near airports since jet aircraft became widely used in the 1960s and 1970s. It has resulted in a proliferation of local and national legislations and policies to manage aircraft noise over the intervening decades. Governments and industry have sought improvement in the level of noise generated by individual aircraft, notably by reaching agreement at global level (ICAO) on the introduction of increasingly stringent standards – a process that has led to the definition of so-called Chapter 2, 3, 4 and 14 standards for aircraft. As a result, today’s passenger jets are considerably quieter than their predecessors.
Even with these technological improvements, the European Environment Agency (EEA) report on Environmental noise in Europe 2020, found that “environmental noise […] remains a major environmental problem affecting the health and well-being of millions of people in Europe” and considers aircraft noise as “the most significant cause of adverse community reaction related to the operation and expansion of airports.” (https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Pages/noise.aspx). Directive 2002/49/EC (END) which was published in July 2002, sets out a framework for a common approach intended to avoid, prevent or reduce the harmful effects of environmental noise (from road, rail, air and industrial sources) in Europe.
Within a five-year rolling programme of activities, the Competent Authorities designated within each Member State are to undertake strategic noise mapping, assess the extent of environmental noise, draw up noise action plans, manage noise issues and effects, and consult with the public on the extent of the noise exposure and the action proposed.
The Balanced Approach Regulation (EU) 598/2014 (BAR) which was published in June 2014 and entered into force in June 2016, establishes rules and procedures on the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Union airports through a balanced approach, replacing Directive 2002/30/EC. Its Article 5, by providing general rules for the noise management, effectively set out the wide r concept of the ICAO Balanced Approach.
This report collects information on how the Environmental Noise Directive (END) and Balanced Approach Regulation (BAR) have been implemented in the European Union based on the results of an extensive questionnaire and selected ad-hoc interviews. It reflects the collective views of the airports’ Competent Authorities regarding where and how legislation could be improved.
