This panel brings together ACI Europe, SEA Milan Airport, Brussels Airport and To70 to explore the ongoing use and practical implementation of the Balanced Approach regulation for aircraft noise management across Europe. With perspectives from ACI Europe, from a leading airport initiative, and from a government-led approach, the session will underline how different stakeholders, especially airports, are involved and contributing. Key insights include setting realistic, data-driven objectives, fostering collaboration between stakeholders and regulators, and maintaining transparency. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the main challenges and why EU-level guidance remains essential.

• BA regulation is not just a procedure but enforceable legislation, thus all governments/regulators must abide by it
• Setting realistic and underpinned noise abatement objectives is important to manage expectations (of communities) and attain achievable outcomes
• Cooperation and transparency between sector and competent authorities is key to success
• Operating restrictions are a last resort, not a foregone conclusion. Measures must balance noise reduction with economic and capacity impacts
• Guidance needed from the European Commission