Balanced Approach Regulation
25138
2026
The Balanced Approach Regulation is intended to help to manage aircraft noise around airports without unnecessary restrictions in flights, but it is unclear how well this works in practice. TML is doing a study to support the evaluation by the EC of this framework in Europe.
Aircraft noise remains a persistent problem around major airports. Every possible solution has advantages and disadvantages, whether it involves restricting night flights, promoting quieter aircraft, choosing different routes, or changing spatial planning. Europe is trying to tackle this through the so-called Balanced Approach: a fixed step-by-step plan that obliges governments to first explore all other options before imposing flight restrictions.
How well does this framework work today? Is it applied in the same way everywhere? And does it really lead to better decisions for residents and aviation?
In this project, TML is supporting the European Commission in evaluating the Balanced Approach Regulation. We are mapping out how Member States are using the framework in practice, what effects it has on noise pollution and what costs and benefits are associated with it. In doing so, we are looking not only at figures, but also at how decisions are made: who is heard, what alternatives are considered and where processes get stuck.
TML is responsible for the substantive design and analysis of the study. We combine data, case studies, and discussions with governments, airports, and airlines.
Aircraft noise remains a persistent problem around major airports. Every possible solution has advantages and disadvantages, whether it involves restricting night flights, promoting quieter aircraft, choosing different routes, or changing spatial planning. Europe is trying to tackle this through the so-called Balanced Approach: a fixed step-by-step plan that obliges governments to first explore all other options before imposing flight restrictions.
How well does this framework work today? Is it applied in the same way everywhere? And does it really lead to better decisions for residents and aviation?
In this project, TML is supporting the European Commission in evaluating the Balanced Approach Regulation. We are mapping out how Member States are using the framework in practice, what effects it has on noise pollution and what costs and benefits are associated with it. In doing so, we are looking not only at figures, but also at how decisions are made: who is heard, what alternatives are considered and where processes get stuck.
TML is responsible for the substantive design and analysis of the study. We combine data, case studies, and discussions with governments, airports, and airlines.
