Acoustic impact

ADR is committed to providing high-quality services whilst respecting the environment and ensuring the sustainability of its business. Minimising the environmental impact of our activities is a strategic priority and, in this context, a key objective is reducing aeronautical noise, in particular in the most densely populated areas. 

In order to minimise the effects of aeronautical noise, airport operations are managed with a constant commitment to using, as far as possible, airport facilities situated close to areas with the lowest population density.  

In carrying out its remit, as also provided for by law, ADR places great importance on its long-established relationships with ministerial bodies (the Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), with ENAC, ENAV, the Italian Air Force, local authorities (the Lazio Region, the Province of Rome, the municipalities of Fiumicino, Ciampino, Marino and Rome, and ARPA Lazio) and airlines. 

With regard to Ciampino Airport, where Ministerial Decree No 345/2018 applies, ADR has undertaken extensive efforts to ensure full compliance with the applicable legislation and with all ten requirements set out in the said Decree. Monitoring of the implementation of the Plan is ensured through the annual reporting of traffic data and indicators necessary for the supervisory bodies to verify compliance.  

In 2022, ADR launched a noise abatement project for the school complexes in Ciampino and Marino, as set out in the Noise Reduction and Abatement Plan (‘PICAR’), which was completed in 2024.  

REFERENCE LEGISLATION 

AIRPORT NOISE ZONING 

Ministerial Decree of 31 October 1997 establishes airport noise zoning as an environmental planning instrument and defines the airport surrounding area for noise-management purposes. 

The airport surrounding area is divided into three buffer zones, based on the LVA* index value, with corresponding planning and functional restrictions. Outside the airport noise zoning area, in addition to the limits set out in the local authority classification, there is a limit on LVA of 60 dB(A). 

THE MONITORING SYSTEM 

The airport noise monitoring system is designed to detect and analyse the noise generated by airport operations, with the aim of protecting the environment and the health of people living in the surrounding areas. In addition to measuring noise levels, the system stores noise data and classifies it according to noise origin (aeronautical/non-aeronautical), including through the analysis of radar tracks provided by ENAV. 

Fiumicino and Ciampino airports are equipped with a noise monitoring system that enables the noise generated by aircraft in the areas surrounding Rome airports to be monitored analytically. The procedures for managing noise measurement systems, monitoring readings and transmitting data to the relevant authorities are carried out in accordance with the relevant sector rules and regulations. 

The monitoring system records noise data as one-second average values (time history); identifies and records Noise Events (NEs) of potential aeronautical origin using intensity and minimum-duration thresholds; records their one-third-octave spectra; and produces hourly reports used for statistical analysis of noise levels.  

The data recorded in this way is streamed from the instruments to the Data Processing Centre and a copy is also stored locally for a period of time that depends on the type of instrument. 

According to the relevant legislation and guidelines, in order to determine whether the recorded events are of aeronautical origin or not, the system must make use of information relating to radar tracks and the airport logbook. 

Today, the monitoring system at Fiumicino consists of 16 fixed monitoring units, whilst the one at Ciampino is equipped with 10 sensors; ADR technicians also use other ‘mobile’ monitoring units for medium- to long-term measurements, as well as three portable sound level metres for operator-assisted measurements, to be used where specific requirements arise. 

The monitoring system provides the information on which ADR bases the design of the measures it systematically implements to reduce the noise impact of airport operations. In this context, a charging scheme has been in place since 2024 based on an assessment of aircraft noise performance. Under this incentive-based system, airlines operating fleets with a lower environmental impact benefit from more favourable charges. The aim of this approach is to encourage airlines to modernise their fleets by introducing latest-generation aircraft with lower noise emissions. 

To this end, ADR has defined seven noise classes, which are calculated in accordance with the international standards set by the ICAO. Based on ICAO Annex 16, which sets out the standards for the noise certification of civil aircraft and classifies aircraft into chapters according to their noise performance, Fiumicino Airport has adopted a seven-category classification, ranging from ‘S1’ (the noisiest) to ‘S7’ (the quietest), based on the noise levels determined from the noise certificates submitted by the airlines. 

A BALANCED APPROACH 

ICAO has established a comprehensive framework for aircraft noise management, known as the Balanced Approach (BA), which calls for the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including airport operators.  

The impacts of aircraft noise are addressed through 4 pillars:  

• noise reduction at source, including the introduction of new-generation aircraft; 

• land-use planning,  

• operating procedures,  

• operating restrictions, but not as a first resort. 

The European Union has adopted this methodology in Regulation (EU) 598/2014 (the Balanced Approach Regulation, BAR), which provides the legal and procedural framework for measures relating to noise at EU airports. 

On 24 February 2026, after prior consultation of airports, ENAC issued the Technical Operating Instructions (‘ITO’) for the BA.  

The ITO specify that ‘The airport operator is required to initiate the procedure for implementing airport noise mitigation measures should it be established that the noise limits set for the buffer zones pursuant to the Ministerial Decree of 31 October 1997 have been exceeded’. 

Verification of compliance with the noise limits set by the Airport Commission pursuant to the Ministerial Decree of 31 October 1997 must be carried out by the airport operator on an annual basis. Where it is established that the limits have been exceeded, the operator must:  

(i) notify the Department of Environment and Sustainable Mobility and the relevant Regional Directorate of any instances where noise limits have been exceeded;  

(ii) draw up a technical report including:  

• the mitigation measures already in place;  

• the additional measures required to manage noise, with reference to: 

• reducing aircraft noise at source (e.g., ‘quieter’ aircraft); 

• land-use planning and management (e.g., restricting residential development in areas near to the aerodrome boundaries); 

• operational noise abatement measures (e.g., charging policies, flight procedures, runway use, sound insulation); 

• any proposed operational restrictions (e.g., a cap on the number of flights).