Greek MEP Maria Zacharia (NI) has asked the European Commission whether the 50,000 annual aircraft movements threshold under the EU's Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) adequately protects residents near regional airports with heavy seasonal traffic, such as Rhodes International Airport. In a written parliamentary question on 8 July 2026, Zacharia argued that the threshold fails to capture the concentrated noise and air pollution burden during tourist seasons, leaving residents exposed despite annual movements falling below the limit.
The question, submitted under Parliament's rules, seeks clarification on three points. First, Zacharia asked the Commission to confirm that falling below the 50,000 movements threshold only exempts airports from strategic noise mapping under Directive 2002/49/EC, not from other EU obligations such as the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2011/92/EU) or the Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC). Second, she questioned whether national authorities must review environmental operating conditions and assess cumulative health effects when aviation activity increases significantly near populated areas, even if the threshold is not reached. Third, she challenged whether the 50,000 movements threshold adequately reflects seasonal exposure at regional and island airports, where the burden is concentrated in a few months.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. The answer will signal whether the EU executive considers the current threshold sufficient or sees scope for revision to account for seasonal peaks. The question touches on a tension between EU-wide harmonised rules and local environmental protection, with potential implications for airport operators, residents near smaller airports, and national regulators responsible for environmental assessments.