A balanced approach to aircraft noise management: An update on the curious case of Dublin Airport's new runway

This paper offers an update on the curious case of Dublin Airport's new runway, first presented at INTER-NOISE 2019, providing an account on the implementation of Regulation 598/2014 in Ireland. In 2007, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) were granted planning permission to build a new runway, but this was subject to certain conditions, including particular restrictions related to noise. These conditions reduce the operational capacity of the airport during the night time, which is not a recommended action under the balanced approach set out in Regulation 598/2014. For a variety of reasons, the DAA then put the project on pause, but, in 2016 decided to proceed with the development and recognized that a new legislative framework might allow a review of these operating restrictions. Last year, the author reported how Regulation 598/2014 had influenced the development at Dublin Airport. But, at that time, the regulation had not been fully implemented in Ireland and debate was raging as to what body should act as the airport noise regulator. This issue has now been resolved, so it is time to provide an update from Ireland... where it seems developments have gotten 'curiouser and curiouser'.