^{Figure 1. Ljubljana Airport and surrounding communities (source: ANIMA report 2020)}

Jože Pučnik Airport in Ljubljana is the central Slovenian International Airport, managing approximately 97% of the total passenger air traffic in Slovenia. The airport is considered ideal for the development of flight connections because of its location – it is at the crossroads of Pannonian Basin and Po Valley, as well as between the Middle East and Europe. In 2018, the airport accounted for 35,500 aircraft movements, and currently, the airport is still below 50,000 movements a year. The airport is wholly owned by the German company Fraport Slovenija, which core business is the airport management and operation, airport infrastructure development, provision of ground handling services and other commercial activities.

Noise regulations

Since Ljubljana Airport does not qualify as a major airport, Strategic Noise Maps and Action Plans compliant with Environmental Noise Directive (END) are not mandatory. Nonetheless, the airport monitors noise and collects all necessary data for mapping environmental noise. Additionally, four noise-sensitive zones were previously defined (see Table 1). Zone III includes the residential areas in the close vicinity of the airport. Noise Control at Source, in support of the Balanced Approach, as well as of ICAO Annex 16 “Environmental Protection”, is also present in the National Regulations and/or aviation legislation.

Low levels of noise emissions are perceived as essential for the quality of life in local settlements, therefore, the airport decided to provide the information on noise measurements to locals to the fullest and most transparent extent. This case study provides an overview of the previous, current and proposed practices of Ljubljana Airport, as part of their Noise Management Strategies.

Objective

Based on regular meetings with local municipalities and recorded complaints, the airport concluded that noise is an important issue for communities, followed by air pollution and climate change. This case study aims to inform and communicate with the surrounding communities as effectively as possible about the management of aviation noise.

Approach

The approach selected to tackle the problem of environmental noise is transparent communication with surrounding communities. As Ljubljana Airport does not reach 50,000 movements per year, all interventions are not considered mandatory and are launched voluntarily by the airport.

1. The Airport started with the development of Sustainability Reports on a yearly basis – various aspects regarding the daily operations of the company were presented and described in a transparent manner, together with their outcomes on the overall environment, including on surrounding communities;

2. All progress towards the sustainable development of the airport was disseminated transparently to the communities and highlighted the positive outcomes of daily airport operations in the region. This decision aimed for rising the credibility of the airport, as well as enhancing its reputation in this area;

3. The Matrix of Materiality (see Figure 2) was used to communicate sustainably and effectively by considering the priorities drawn from interactive dialogue with the relevant stakeholder groups. This matrix contributes to an in-depth understanding of the company's view regarding what means sustainable development, together with their perspective on most relevant areas – from environmental issues to economic and broader social aspects. Since 2017, the Matrix of Materiality was harmonised with the sustainability guidelines of the airport;

^{Figure 2. Matrix of Materiality (source: Fraport Slovenija Sustainability Report 2017)}

4. The Matrix of Materiality helped to establish clear goals, which vary according to each stakeholder and range from satisfaction and motivation (employees), to customer satisfaction (passengers and airport visitors), achieving common sustainable goals (business partners) or establishing and maintaining good relations, together with ensuring a high-quality environment for the local communities;

5. Regarding a better way to manage noise complaints, the airport developed different communication channels to submit complaints so that every person could use the channel that is the most familiar to him/ her (phone call, e-mail, social media etc.);

6. Continuous attention is given to maintaining good and ethical relations, together with positive dialogue with all the stakeholders of the company, in order to facilitate appropriate development of projects for a cleaner and healthier environment, to manage all the energy resources responsibly and to focus on ensuring noise protection.

Public participation in environmental issues is highly demanded by communities, especially for transparent information regarding available national regulations/ programmes/reports and interventions.

One of the most critical issues is the necessity to establish a legislative framework for airports that cannot be classified as “major airports” (below 50,000 movements per year). The absence of mandatory strategic noise mapping and transparent development of action plans might further result in low involvement of the relevant stakeholders in noise management.

Additionally, effective communication on noise management between all relevant stakeholders is highly needed for all types of airports (major or not). This is mostly due to the fact that the communication of any change/ intervention is considered to be essential to be presented and discussed with the local communities at the early planning stage and before the actual implementation.

Finally, a clear methodology for dealing with noise complaints is needed, as well as regular meetings with all relevant stakeholders. Training on air traffic noise management generalities are considered necessary for most stakeholders.