Press releases

Brussels, 18 June 2026 - Five more transport and aviation organisations have joined the Athens Declaration & Call for Action – first launched by ACI EUROPE, A4E and ERA in June last year – urging immediate and decisive action to ensure the full and consistent application of the Noise Balanced Approach regulation.

The new signatories include the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics, and Customs Services (CLECAT), European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), European Express Association (EEA), Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation Europe (CANSO Europe) and Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).

Their joining marks a clear alignment amongst the transport industry regarding the need to protect air connectivity and its unique role in boosting EU competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

The Athens Declaration & Call to Action follows a number of cases in which EU Member States have disregarded the globally agreed framework of the ICAO Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management. The Noise Balanced Approach is a mandatory procedure under EU law for Member States to follow. It involves assessing the noise situation at major airports and evaluating the full range of available mitigation measures. Those measures fall into four key pillars: (1) reduction of noise at source, (2) land-use and planning management, (3) noise abatement operational procedures and (4) operating restrictions. The latter may only be implemented as a last resort. However, several governments have moved to directly impose operating restrictions, effectively bypassing the Noise Balanced Approach through ad hoc and subjective decisions. Such politically-driven decisions threaten air connectivity which provides a wide range of socioeconomic benefits, supporting 14 million jobs and 5% of European GDP¹.

With this Declaration, Europe’s airports, airlines, freight forwarders, manufacturers and air navigation service providers are decisively calling for:

1. The full and consistent implementation of the EU Balanced Approach Regulation (EU) No 598/2014 across Europe, with operating restrictions used only as a last resort after all other mitigation measures have been put in place and maximised in terms of noise reduction potential;
2. The European Commission to strengthen enforcement of EU Regulation 598/2014, provide clearer guidance to Member States and support globally consistent noise management through ICAO;
3. Governments across Europe to ensure noise management decisions are evidence-based, transparent and balanced against the wider socioeconomic value of air connectivity and cargo operations;
4. A more integrated and forward-looking approach that balances airport capacity, connectivity, sustainability, and noise management, whilst safeguarding the free movement of passengers and goods.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI EUROPE, said “Airports along with airlines have long invested in reducing noise impacts through the use of quieter aircraft, operational improvements and extensive community mitigation measures including noise insulation programmes – all as part of their broader sustainability commitments. The fact that five additional organisations have now joined this Declaration sends a strong signal that the wider transport ecosystem stands united in calling for consistency, fairness and full respect for established global standards and EU rules. What we now need urgently to secure the respect of the Balanced Approach at national and local level is clear guidance from the European Commission on how Member States should fully implement it. This is about safeguarding Europe’s connectivity, competitiveness and ability to deliver a coherent transport policy that supports both citizens and the economy.”

Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director, A4E added “A fair balance must be struck with local concerns before restrictions are imposed – this is exactly what the EU rules are meant to do. Recent world events have demonstrated the critical importance of maintaining strong air connectivity across Europe. People want to fly, and flying benefits not just travellers but local communities and the wider economy.”

Camille Grand, ASD Secretary General, said: “Europe’s civil aeronautics manufacturers are delivering steadily quieter aircraft and engines through long‑term investment in research and innovation. The Balanced Approach Regulation provides the internationally recognised framework to address noise in a shared, evidence-based and proportionate way. Its full and consistent implementation, assessing and applying all available measures properly, is essential to effectively reduce noise annoyance and optimise benefits for our society.” 

Enrico Parini, Director of Europe Affairs, CANSO Europe, noted “CANSO calls on governments to respect the ICAO Balanced Approach so that not only noise is acknowledged around airports but also environmentally effective routing, to which ANSPs are committed. We are therefore endorsing the Athens Declaration.”

Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General, CLECAT, highlighted that “Fragmented noise policies risk undermining Europe’s air cargo connectivity at a time when resilient supply chains and competitiveness are more important than ever. CLECAT supports the consistent application of the Balanced Approach to ensure that noise management decisions remain evidence-based, proportionate and aligned with Europe’s economic and strategic interests.”

Chris Vanhoegaerden, Chair, EEA, said “While the European Express Association remains committed to mitigating noise, night flights continue to be essential to ensuring next-day delivery of critical products, medicines, and vaccines, connecting customers and businesses within Europe and globally. Preserving operational flexibility, connectivity and legal certainty are vital to maintaining resilient and efficient supply chains within the EU and beyond.”

Róman Kok, Director of Public Affairs & Communications, EBAA, commented “It is essential that, whenever operating restrictions are considered at European airports, the Balanced Approach procedure is fully respected and all affected stakeholders, irrespective of business model, are properly consulted throughout the process.”

Montserrat Barriga, Director General, ERA 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.”

Fragmented and inconsistent noise policies must not be allowed to weaken Europe’s air connectivity or hinder the long-term strength of its aviation sector – both of which are essential to the continent’s competitiveness, global influence, and strategic autonomy.

The full Declaration can be found below.