To continue doing this responsibly, we want and need to significantly reduce the adverse effect of air traffic on the local environment and on the planet. That’s why we are stepping up our efforts to become a quieter airport with lower CO2 emissions by 2030:
1. 30% less noise exposure in 2030 than in 2019. Although we were already committed to this target, we are taking several steps to accelerate it.
2. 30% fewer CO2 emissions from air traffic in 2030 than in 2019. This ambitious target places us at the forefront of global efforts to reduce the harmful impact of flying on the climate.
To meet these targets by 2030, we are implementing these additional measures:
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No more fossil-fuel or other private flights as from 1 January 2026.
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Capping the number of flights at 40,500 per year in 2026 and 2027 and monitoring according to noise standards instead of the number of flights as from 2028.
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Introducing the departure procedure with the least noise pollution for the immediate surroundings as soon as possible.
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Only allowing latest-generation aircraft at Eindhoven Airport by 2030.
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Introducing a higher blending requirement for sustainable aircraft fuel at Eindhoven Airport and a financial contribution from Eindhoven Airport for airlines refuelling with this fuel.
Roel Hellemons, CEO of Eindhoven Airport: "We’d already committed to considerable noise abatement by 2030. But simply curbing noise is not enough. We also feel responsible for significantly reducing CO2 emissions from our air traffic. Making aviation more sustainable in Europe is ambitious and attainable. By implementing these additional measures, we’re demonstrating that we’re really accelerating the pace."
1. No more fossil-fuel or other private flights as from 1 January 2026
As private flights have a relatively large noise and CO2 footprint per passenger and only marginally meet our region’s mobility needs, we have decided not to allow them at Eindhoven Airport as from 2026. If opportunities arise for sustainable small-plane aviation (such as electric flying) that adds value to the region, we would want to facilitate that.
2. Capping the number of flights at 40,500 per year in 2026 and 2027. Monitoring according to noise standards instead of the number of flights as from 2028
Pieter van Geel’s new management model is based on monitoring according to a predetermined standard for air traffic noise exposure. Monitoring the number of aircraft movements, as is currently done, ceases to apply in this management model. Besides monitoring according to a noise exposure standard, Eindhoven Airport will still monitor the number of aircraft movements in 2026 and 2027. We will not reallocate the capacity freed up from having no private flights to large commercial traffic. This will reduce the number of aircraft movements in 2026 and 2027 from the current 41,500 to 40,500. We will keep part of the capacity (500 flights a year) available for social traffic (such as medical flights and test flights for sustainable, small-plane aviation).
3. Introducing the departure procedure with the least noise pollution for the immediate surroundings as soon as possible
A process to choose a departure procedure (the way in which aircraft take off and climb to flight altitude) is ongoing in consultation with the Eindhoven Airport Consultative Structure (LEO). That choice will be laid down in the Eindhoven Airport regulatory enforcement decision. Eindhoven Airport supports the departure procedure with the least noise pollution for the immediate surroundings. We want to introduce this as soon as possible. As far as we are concerned, there is no need to wait for the new airport regulatory enforcement decision.
4. Only latest-generation aircraft at Eindhoven Airport by 2030
By 2030, we will only allow latest-generation aircraft (like the Airbus A320 NEO and Boeing 737 MAX) at Eindhoven Airport. This means 100% fleet renewal by 2030, thus meeting the target of 30% noise abatement by 2030 compared to 2019, while also reducing CO2 emissions. It could also give the airport room to develop even better regional connections.
5. Introducing a higher blending requirement for sustainable aircraft fuel at Eindhoven Airport and a financial contribution from Eindhoven Airport for airlines refuelling with this fuel
It is not only important to abate noise. Reducing CO2 emissions is at least as important. Through fleet renewal, operational measures (including a review of airspace in Europe) and blending Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with kerosene, we will achieve our target of a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030.
The more SAF is blended, the lower the CO2 emissions from air traffic. But SAF is about four times more expensive than kerosene. At Eindhoven Airport, we are preparing a higher blending requirement than is currently required by law. We also want to encourage airlines to blend more than 20% of the kerosene they buy at Eindhoven Airport. That’s why we make an annual amount available to airlines to help cover the costs from any additional blending. For 2024, this figure is half a million euros.