For many years, the Luxembourg airport authorities have been trying to implement measures to limit noise and the number of people newly exposed.

An update on a sometimes critical situation between local residents and the authorities.

An air curfew

For many years, the authorities, aware of the noise pollution caused by the airport, have been trying to find solutions to improve the daily life of local residents.

The first action was to put in place a Grand Ducal decree, (modified on 24 May 1998), setting out the technical and operational operating conditions of Luxembourg Airport. The opening hours and air traffic are thus fixed between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.

In terms of infrastructure, progress has also been made to reduce the noise pollution caused by the aircraft of Luxembourg companies.
However, the airport also receives aircraft from other foreign companies, even if they do not meet the noise emission standards imposed on Luxembourg companies.

Noise mapping to create an action plan

Of course, the authorities are aware that the geographical location of the airport, close to the city, requires specific arrangements to protect local residents from noise.

In January 2008, a charter between users, residents and authorities was signed.
It concerned the practice of general aviation training and continuous training at Findel airport; its objective was to manage emissions and noise in the vicinity of the airport, in relation to the training of general aviation pilots, while ensuring that the interest and legitimacy of these activities were not undermined.

To continue this trend, the current Minister of the Environment (who had signed the charter a few months earlier) took stock of noise pollution a few months later and drew up a new noise map.
According to this report, 10 municipalities near the Findel were affected by noise pollution: 3,900 people were exposed to an Lden of more than 65 decibels and 18,400 had to endure a daily Lden of more than 60 decibels.

Two years later, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure also took action, proposing an "Action plan to combat noise at Luxembourg Airport".
The main aim of the plan was to reduce noise pollution at source in the noise management areas identified through noise mapping.

Among the solutions identified, the issue of home insulation was addressed.
Indeed, as mentioned in the plan : "The only effective means of achieving a substantial and lasting reduction in noise for residents in highly exposed areas is to act on the dwellings themselves. This is achieved by soundproofing the dwellings so that the remaining noise levels inside the dwellings are compatible with the specific use of the premises. However, in order to ensure the sustainability of the investments made, it is necessary that the degree of sound insulation achieved corresponds to a sustainable design, i.e. that it corresponds not only to current noise levels but also to the noise levels envisaged in the longer term.

The plan also indicated future actions that would be taken to soundproof homes.
Of course, only those dwellings considered to be exposed (according to precise criteria) would be concerned and the means would be implemented according to the degree of exposure, with priority given to the treatment of the most exposed dwellings (zone A according to the noise map).

Other solutions included sensible land-use planning, including limiting the construction of housing and other sensitive infrastructure in noisy areas.

Noise-affected municipalities were asked not to create new residential areas in "at risk" locations and were informed of the noise map in order to plan their urban fabric in an intelligent way.

In terms of airport development initiatives, an airport noise working group was tasked with developing a list of anti-noise measures.

Soundproof homes

As mentioned above, the 2010 action plan envisaged measures for soundproofing homes in noise zones.

In October 2011, the Chamber of Deputies adopted the bill creating theaid for soundproofing homes located in the vicinity of theFindel Airport.
This measure, which is still topical, particularly because of the controversy surrounding night flights for the survival of Cargolux, is intended to help people living near the airport to cope better with aircraft noise.

Of course, not all dwellings will be eligible for this financial assistance.
This concerns owners of residential buildings located in the municipalities of Betzdorf, Flaxweiler, Hesperange, Luxembourg, Niederanven, Sandweiler and Schuttrange and whose building permit was issued before 31 August 1986 (date of entry into force of the partial development plan "Airport and Surroundings").

In order to determine the necessary soundproofing measures, a building acoustics advisor will have to make a diagnosis on how to improve the soundproofing of the dwelling.

The state grant is only available for the following works:
- replacement of windows ;
- insulation of roller boxes ;
- the installation of controlled ventilation;
- wallpapering and plastering ;
- roof or attic slab renovation.

The total amount of subsidies granted for these soundproofing investments is limited to 12,500 euros for a house and to 6,250 for a flat.

To qualify, prior advice on improving sound insulation must be obtained; and the work must be supervised by a building acoustics consultant.
These amounts can be covered by aid, but with a ceiling.

For the production of a consultancy report, a subsidy of 70 euros / hour is granted, but not exceeding :
- 1,000 for a house;

- 1,200 for an apartment building consisting of two flats.
In addition to this basic amount, there is a supplement of 100 euros for each additional flat.

Note that the total amount to be allocated is limited to 1,500 euros.
The advisor will also be required to provide a completion report.

For the supervision and monitoring of the work carried out, the subsidy granted is also 70 euros/hour and the maximum limits are as follows:
- 1,000 for a house;

- 1,200 for an apartment building consisting of two flats.
In addition to this basic amount, there is a supplement of 100 euros for each additional flat.
The total amount to be granted is also limited to 1,500 euros and is granted for a residential building with flats. The grants are divided equally between all the flats in the building, regardless of the number of flats actually affected by the work.

Grants are awarded on the basis of receipted invoices for the work covered by the grants.
All applications for aid must be submitted to the Administration by registered mail (with acknowledgement of receipt) or by certified electronic mail.

For more information on these grants and on the noise action plan, contact the environment portal or surf to www.emwelt.lu