Environmental noise caused by air traffic Axel Luttenberger, Ph.D., Associate Professor Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Luttenberger Introductory part  The world “noise” is derived from the Latin word “nausea”, meaning sickness.  Aircraft noise has been a sensitive issue for residents and tourists in the areas near airports.  Sustainable development of air transport necessitates the introduction of measures aimed at reducing the noise nuisance from aircraft at airports with particular noise problems.

Luttenberger Sources of law  Directive 2002/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 March 2002 on the establishment of the rules and procedure with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Community airports (Official Journal L 85 of )  Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating the assessments and management of environmental noise (Official Journal L 189 of )

Luttenberger “Environmental Noise Directive”  The objectives are to: lay down rules to facilitate the introduction of operating restrictions in a consistent manner at airport level so as to limit or reduce the number of people significantly affected by harmful effects of noise;lay down rules to facilitate the introduction of operating restrictions in a consistent manner at airport level so as to limit or reduce the number of people significantly affected by harmful effects of noise; provide a framework which safeguards internal market requirements;provide a framework which safeguards internal market requirements; promote development of airport capacity in harmony with the environment;promote development of airport capacity in harmony with the environment; facilitate the achievement of specific noise abatement objectives at the level of individual airport;facilitate the achievement of specific noise abatement objectives at the level of individual airport; achieving maximum environmental benefit in the most cost-effective manner.achieving maximum environmental benefit in the most cost-effective manner.  “Balanced approach” shall mean: reduction of airplane noise at source; land-use planning and management measures; noise abatement operational procedures; local operating restrictions relating to noise problems.

Luttenberger Key issues the paper will deal with  monitoring the environmental problems “strategic noise maps”“strategic noise maps”  informing and consulting the public Aarhus conventionAarhus convention  addressing local noise issues action planaction plan  developing a long-term strategy noise reduction from sourcenoise reduction from source

Luttenberger Preliminary conclusions  Benefits: The Directive provides a harmonized structure for balanced approach.The Directive provides a harmonized structure for balanced approach. The Directive is useful in ensuring that all interests are taken into account when restriction are considered.The Directive is useful in ensuring that all interests are taken into account when restriction are considered.  Shortcomings: The Directive has been used in the case of limited number of airports.The Directive has been used in the case of limited number of airports. Some stakeholders are of the opinion that is not sufficiently clear.Some stakeholders are of the opinion that is not sufficiently clear. Some Member States already have similar provisions under national law prior to the entry into force of the Directive.Some Member States already have similar provisions under national law prior to the entry into force of the Directive. The number of people affected by noise has increased since the Directive came into force.The number of people affected by noise has increased since the Directive came into force.