Airports and airlines demand end to sudden flight restrictions, urge enforcement of EU noise rules

Europe’s aviation sector issued an urgent plea to governments and the European Commission to stop bypassing established legal frameworks when tackling airport noise, warning that sudden, politically driven flight restrictions are jeopardising air connectivity and the EU’s aviation market.

In a joint Athens Declaration & Call for Action, three major industry bodies — Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE), Airlines for Europe (A4E), and the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) — urged full enforcement of the ICAO Balanced Approach and EU Regulation 598/2014, which mandate structured, evidence-based procedures for noise management.

The move comes after several European governments unilaterally imposed airport operating restrictions without following the required legal process, threatening both airline operations and long-term connectivity, especially for smaller regional communities.

Key Demands from the Industry:

• Full enforcement of EU Regulation 598/2014 at all stages of the Balanced Approach.
• Clear guidance and EU-level monitoring to prevent fragmented or politically motivated actions.
• Better land-use planning to avoid residential encroachment near airports.
• Integration of noise management with sustainability and connectivity goals, rather than treating them in isolation.

Industry Leaders Speak Out:

• Olivier Jankovec (ACI EUROPE) warned that disregard for global and EU rules on noise reflects a dangerous double standard compared to other transport sectors, undermining Europe’s aviation competitiveness.
• Ourania Georgoutsakou (A4E) criticised local authorities for reducing airport capacity unilaterally, calling for noise rules that are “fair, effective and proportionate.”
• Montserrat Barriga (ERA) stressed that regional carriers — vital to remote communities — are being disproportionately harmed by sudden, uncoordinated restrictions.

The aviation sector calls on the EU and member states to respect and enforce existing legal procedures to ensure that noise mitigation remains transparent, science-based, and balanced with the needs of air transport and regional development.