The European Commission has opened a public consultation ahead of an evaluation of the Balanced Approach Regulation, the EU framework governing measures to tackle aircraft noise. It is seeking views on the existing system, which requires Member States to consider alternative noise-reduction measures before limiting air traffic.
Consultation open until November
According to an announcement published on Thursday, the consultation aims to gather feedback from interested parties before the Commission begins evaluating the current regulatory framework.
Submissions can be made until 19 November 2026 through the Commission’s “Have Your Say” portal, with the consultation available in all official EU languages.
The Commission said effective noise management is important for people living near airports, while the framework is intended to take account of both local communities and air transport users.
What the regulation provides
Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 establishes common rules and procedures for introducing noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports. Its objective is to improve conditions around airports and reduce the number of people significantly affected by aircraft noise.
The regulation applies to airports recording more than 50,000 civil aircraft movements annually, based on the average for the three preceding calendar years.
It does not apply to aircraft used for military, customs, police or similar services.
The balanced approach
Under the regulation, Member States must examine a broader range of possible measures before imposing restrictions on air traffic.
The “balanced approach” requires different options to be considered together, including:
- reducing noise at its source
- land-use planning and management; and
- noise-abatement operational procedures.
Operating restrictions should not be treated as the first response and may be introduced only after the other available measures have been assessed.
Consultation requirements
When new restrictions are being considered, authorities must consult relevant stakeholders, including residents, local authorities, businesses operating near airports, airport and aircraft operators and air navigation service providers.
Interested parties must be given at least three months to submit their observations before new restrictions are adopted.
The regulation also requires authorities to provide Member States, the Commission and relevant stakeholders with six months’ notice before introducing an operating restriction.
The Commission may review the procedure and, if it determines that the required rules have not been followed, inform the competent authorities before the restriction is imposed.
Source: CNA
