Lisbon's Noise Action Plan Fails: Airport Operator Under Fire for Non-Compliance

Overview of the Noise Action Plan

The action plan aimed at mitigating noise from Lisbon Airport has faced significant non-compliance issues by the operator, ANA. The Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) reported that essential actions, particularly those involving soundproofing sensitive buildings, were not executed as planned.

Notification of Non-Compliance

In September last year, the APA notified the General Inspectorate of Agriculture, Sea, Environment, and Spatial Planning (IGAMAOT) regarding these failures. This revelation came from APA's president, Pimenta Machado, during a parliamentary hearing on energy and the environment.

Obligations and Measures

Lisbon Airport is mandated to conduct an environmental sound assessment every five years, proposing measures to mitigate its impact on affected populations. The initial plan, approved for the period of 2018 to 2023, included 34 measures, focusing on sound insulation for sensitive buildings like schools, hospitals, and health centers. These measures were to be implemented in phases by June 2024, yet many crucial actions remain unaddressed.

APA's Role and Responsibilities

Pimenta Machado clarified that the APA functions as a regulatory and evaluative body, lacking the authority for licensing or enforcement. Consequently, the responsibility for initiating sanction processes lies with IGAMAOT. Notably, the law only introduced penalties for noise action plan violations as of December 2022.

New Plans and Future Actions

ANA submitted a new action plan for the 2024-2029 cycle, which will require adjustments per APA's findings. This plan may extend sound protection measures to residential buildings. The government had previously announced a total flight restriction in Lisbon from 1 AM to 6 AM.

Delays and Challenges

The initial noise action plan was meant to be executed in two phases, with deadlines in January 2021 and January 2022. However, ANA delayed the start of interventions, citing the pandemic and uncertainties in air traffic recovery as reasons. Following the resumption of operations, ANA claimed the absence of a funding mechanism for these measures, suggesting that costs should be shared with the state or airlines.

Impact on Communities

The APA's statistics indicated that approximately 388,000 people were exposed to excessive noise levels due to the airport in 2019, a figure likely underestimated due to outdated assessments. The lack of community surveys and transparency regarding the best-performing airlines in terms of noise pollution remains a concern.