Public urges noise reduction at Ljubljana Airport

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The mayors of the municipalities of Kranj, Šenčur, Škofja Loka, Vodice, Cerklje and Mengeš have urged the Slovenian Civil Aviation Agency to work on reducing noise pollution caused by aircraft taking off and landing at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. They have requested for jets to be assigned alternative flight paths in order to avoid flying at low altitude over these urban areas, which are in close proximity to the airport. According to the municipalities, noise disturbs the ability of their residents to concentrate, causes restlessness and discomfort, and endangers health. The mayors of the respective municipalities said they have received a significant number of complaints from residents. Through monitoring, some of the urban settlements have registered noise levels exceeded permissible levels. The mayors have requested for flight paths established in 2013 to be amended, and for take offs and landings to avoid densely populated areas. "The joint call made by the mayors is the first step to improving the situation," the Mayor of Šenčur, Ciril Kozjek, said.

Airport operator Fraport Slovenija noted that flight path regulation is squarely the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Agency. "From December 2008 until the end of March 2019, we have performed continuous noise monitoring in the most noise exposed areas. In 2019 we will continue with annual (occasional) noise measurements in the summer season and thus continue to monitor the noise levels during the day, evening and nighttime during the busiest period of the year. Every year we produce noise maps for areas around the airport", the operator said.