Nice Airport: a unique system in Europe implemented to reduce noise pollution

Since 2001, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has faced a number of complaints from local residents in Nice near the Kilo° starting zone. Indeed, the use of auxiliary power units (APUs) during aircraft startup is a source of noise pollution, especially during the summer when business aviation traffic is highest and when residents keep their windows open due to the summer heat.

The Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, attentive to this issue, actively participates in the Noise working group and the Airport’s Environmental Advisory Commission, as well as neighborhood committees, to find solutions to improve the quality of life for residents. Since 2008, the improvement of the soundscape has also been a priority.

In its effort to control nuisances and ensure sustainable environmental respect, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur quickly adopted certain measures and remedial solutions:

Nonetheless insufficient, these solutions called for even more collective consultation between the Metropolis and Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, to continue jointly monitoring the development of aviation activities on the Nice platform, respecting the quality of life and health of locals.

Thus, thanks to the work conducted with the Environmental Advisory Commission, numerous positive advances have been achieved, offering the best compromise between effective and sustainable noise reduction perceived by residents, air quality improvement, and security, operational, and financial aspects.

A comprehensive, civic, and responsible solution

Thanks to the use of autonomous power supply systems (so-called pop-up) for air conditioning and electricity at the aircraft starting positions, a unique device in Europe, pilots will have at their disposal an energy source allowing them to significantly limit the use of auxiliary power units for startup. Traps under each aircraft starting position will provide access to a centralized system for electricity and cooling/heating.

A specific levy will finance noise mitigation and air quality improvement work at the source, generated by the use of the business aviation starting area. Thus, business aviation will contribute exclusively to reducing nuisances for which it is responsible.

The start of the work is scheduled for autumn, with implementation in 2014, the start of operations in May 2014, and a budget of 2 million euros.