Letland gedaagd voor Hof wegens niet-invoering EU-wetten inzake vliegtuiglawaai (en)

The Commission decided today to take Latvia to the Court of Justice for failing to transpose European legislation on the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports. For a coherent approach to aviation noise reduction it is essential that Member States follow the European rules and procedures.

"Noise around airports is a particularly important issue for European citizens. Latvia must apply as soon as possible this legislation that provides for coherent solutions to noise problems around EU airports", said Vice-President in charge of transport Jacques Barrot.

The Directive^[1] requires the application by all EU Member States of specific procedures prior to introducing noise related operating restrictions. It provides a framework which safeguards internal market requirements by ensuring that similar solutions are applied if similar noise problems are identified at airports. In particular it provides a harmonized definition of marginally compliant airplanes and sets out the rules to be applied when introducing operating restrictions aimed at the withdrawal of this type of planes.

^[1] Directive 2002/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 March on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at Community airports, OJ L 085, 28.03.2002