Noise
Air traffic continues to grow every year, but this does not automatically lead to more noise nuisance, because the aviation industry is manufacturing aircraft that are more and more "quiet", and the government and airports encourage the use of these by implementing regulations, increasing taxes and rejecting the types that produce most noise.
Maastricht Aachen Airport complies strictly with Dutch and European rules and regulations. The airport has received a "designation" from the Dutch government, specifying the maximum amount of noise allowed each year. The Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management requires MAA to submit an annual usage plan for the airport, and to explain in the plan how it intends to handle the expected volume of air traffic without exceeding the noise limits. The Ministry monitors the execution of the plans.
Maastricht Aachen Airport cooperates fully in implementing laws, regulations and guidelines and has a track record of taking its own initiatives. For example, the airport banned the landing rights of the so-called "Chapter 2" aircraft in 2000, well before European law banned the aircraft in 2002.
However, there are further measures to limit noise nuisance caused by the growing air traffic. Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA) cooperates fully in this. MAA has already taken additional measures in order to stay within the limits set for noise nuisance, such as temporarily banning training and circuit flights. MAA has managed to persuade some airline companies to change their flight schedules. Their planes now call at the airport during the day instead of at night, which is more beneficial to the local residents.
Current regulations and developments among aircraft manufacturers ensure that the airport can continue to grow. The present-day Boeing 737-800 aircraft produce approximately 70 decibels of ground noise at 6.5 km after take-off, which is quieter than the 75 decibels produced by city traffic.
You can also visit the website of the environmental committee or the South Limburg aviation complaints foundation