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On 29 January, the European Commission launched a targeted consultation as part of its evaluation of the EU rules governing the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at airports. The initiative marks the first step in the long-awaited evaluation of Regulation (EU) No 598/2014, which establishes the so-called “balanced approach” to aircraft noise management.

Under the balanced approach, any consideration of flight restrictions must be preceded by an assessment, conducted in consultation with relevant stakeholders, of alternative noise mitigation measures, such as improved operational procedures, land-use planning or fleet modernisation. Operating restrictions may be introduced only as a last resort, must be proportionate, and must not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the defined noise abatement objectives. The Regulation has returned to the political spotlight in recent years, notably in the context of discussions surrounding proposed flight reductions at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

In recent years, stakeholders have raised concerns that the balanced approach has not always been applied consistently across Member States when introducing noise-related operating restrictions. Against this background, the Commission report on the application of the Regulation, originally due by June 2021, has yet to be published. According to the Commission, the delayed evaluation reflects the limited practical experience with the Regulation’s implementation in its early years.

The targeted consultation, which is open until 26 February, aims to collect evidence and stakeholder feedback on the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value of the Regulation. A broader public consultation, based on a detailed questionnaire and open to all stakeholders, is expected to follow in Q2 2026, with the overall evaluation scheduled to run until Q1 2027.