An Investigation of the Romanian aviation noise policy and its implementation: where is Romania placed on the European noise mitigation map?

Aviation noise is known as being one of the main factors that can limit the airport growth, so a
wise and well-balanced policy on noise mitigation at, and around the airports is necessary,
particularly in the regions with rapid growth of air traffic. Romania is such example, with a 30%
increase in air traffic in the first half of 2017.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the existing gaps in implementing the aviation noise
mitigation policies at Romanian airports, having END as a starting point, but considering also, and
best practices from other EU airports.
A detailed research of the Romanian aviation noise policy is given, with illustration of the status
of the implementation of the ICAO Balanced Approach: new operations, LUP, operating
restrictions. The existing of national policy tools to minimize the aviation noi se impact in airport
vicinity is examined.
The main research question is: Where is Romania placed on the European noise mitigation map?
Discussion will be around gaps and barriers, to identify the best pathways Romanian airports
should chose in order to design and implement a sustainable aviation noise policy.
Iasi Airport will be chosen as a case-study, having the opportunity to learn from Heathrow and
Schiphol airports on how to identify & implement best practices related to airport noise
management. A Framework on a national approach towards noise mitigation, including a proposed
Action Plan will be designed, to be later discussed with relevant aviation stakeholders, the
Romanian CAA included.
The Conclusions will be drawn and next steps proposed. The investigation for this work is realized
in the frame of the ANIMA research project.