European airports and airlines, represented by leading industry associations, Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE), Airlines for Europe (A4E) and European Regions Airline Association (ERA) have today launched the Athens Declaration & Call for Action to effectively enforce the Noise Balanced Approach as a mandatory process to address aircraft noise.
Launched on the occasion of the 35th ACI EUROPE Annual Congress & General Assembly in Athens, the Declaration urges immediate and decisive action to ensure full and consistent application of the Balanced Approach procedure when addressing noise issues at airports, as mandated by the globally recognised ICAO Balanced Approach framework and the EU Regulation 598/2014.
The Declaration follows a number of cases across Europe where national governments moved to impose operating restrictions at airports without adhering to the legal procedures and standards set out in these frameworks. These ad hoc decisions threaten the air connectivity that European citizens depend on, undermine the integrity of the Single EU Aviation Market — and ultimately jeopardise Europe’s global aviation competitiveness.
Accordingly, the Declaration calls on the European Commission, EU Member States, and governments across Europe to:
– Fully enforce EU Regulation 598/2014 at all stages of the Balanced Approach procedure.
– Issue clear guidance and monitor compliance to avoid fragmented and politically driven decisions.
– Prioritise evidence-based processes and adopt land-use planning that prevents residential encroachment into airport noise zones.
– Recognise that sustainability, noise management, and connectivity must be addressed together — not in isolation.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: “Airports have been addressing aircraft noise proactively for decades, as part of their sustainability strategies. This includes encouraging the use of quieter aircraft through incentive schemes and performance-based navigation procedures while also funding extensive sound insulation programmes. But the fact that some Governments have started not to respect global standards and European law as regards noise management is an extremely serious concern — as it also appears to reflect an
unjustified focus on aviation noise when compared to noise emissions coming from other transport modes. Ultimately, what is at stake is not just our sector, but Europe’s competitiveness and global position.”
Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director, Airlines for Europe said: “The balanced approach ensures all possible measures to reduce airport noise are evaluated fairly and transparently. The increase in national and local authorities unilaterally reducing capacity at airports undermines this and is contrary to EU legislation. A4E will continue to advocate for noise mitigation efforts that are fair, effective and proportionate.”
Montserrat Barriga, Director General, European Regions Airline Association said: “Regional airlines are lifelines for Europe’s smaller communities, providing essential connectivity that drives local economies and social cohesion. These sudden and uncoordinated operating restrictions, imposed without proper adherence to the Balanced Approach, disproportionately harm regional carriers and the communities they serve. We call on European institutions and governments to uphold the legal processes already in place, and to ensure that noise management decisions are balanced, evidence-based and made with the full recognition of the critical role regional aviation plays in Europe’s transport ecosystem.”
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