If you live near an airport, you will certainly have an opinion on the effects of air traffic on your quality of life. The impacts of airports and aviation are both negative and positive: on the minus side are air pollution and noise and an outsized use of land and water resources, while on the plus side, airports provide direct and indirect employment and economic benefits.

Despite aircraft being 75 % quieter than 30 years ago, they are still a major source of noise pollution. Night-time transport noise has a significant impact on health, and people who live close to airports can develop health problems, starting with sleep disturbance, stress and hearing impairment.

If there is an airport in your neighbourhood, you will be pleased to know the EU is addressing these issues. The EU has introduced rules on environmental noise and legislation establishing a clear procedure to introduce noise-related operating restrictions at airports. The EU has also helped to limit noise by introducing common rules on civil aviation, and rules for the environmental certification of aircraft, as well as by regulating the operation of certain aeroplanes. The EU also co-finances research projects working on reducing aircraft noise.

In the vicinity of airports, air pollution is another challenge. To help reduce the effects, the EU rules on ambient air quality set air quality standards for 12 air pollutants.