MEP Maria Zacharia (NI) has asked the European Commission to clarify EU obligations for assessing and managing risks faced by people living in the immediate vicinity of regional airport runways, citing the example of Rhodes International Airport in Greece where residential areas lie below flight paths. The question, submitted on 8 July 2026, targets potential gaps in EU aerodrome safety rules that may leave residents, schools and tourist facilities unprotected.
Zacharia's parliamentary question focuses on three concrete asks: first, what existing EU law requires for risk assessment and management for nearby residents; second, whether the certification and oversight framework under Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and EASA requirements includes third-party or ground risk assessments when residential or sensitive areas are below flight paths; and third, whether the Commission intends to propose new EU guidelines or legislation to better protect residents near regional airports, especially in island and tourist regions with high seasonal traffic.
The question does not set numerical targets or deadlines but pushes for a review of current safety management obligations. It highlights that EU law lacks a single minimum distance between aerodromes and residential areas, relying instead on risk assessments under Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and ICAO Annex 14 standards. By raising the issue, Zacharia signals concern that existing rules may not adequately cover third-party risks on the ground, particularly in densely populated or tourist-heavy zones.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it sees a need for additional EU-level action or considers current rules sufficient, potentially shaping future regulatory direction on airport safety and land-use planning near regional airports.