Strategic noise map 2021 major airport(s) Lden contours

Strategic noise map for major airport(s) in Flanders with more than 50,000 movements per year (excluding training flights with light aircraft) according to RL 2002/49/EC. Brussels Airport is the only airport in Flanders that meets the definition of 'important airport' according to Directive 2002/49/EC. The reference year of these dates is 2021. The noise map shows the annual average noise emission of the flight movements to and from Brussels Airport expressed in the parameter Lden. The Lden level is a weighted annual average sound pressure level over the course of the day at which evening and night levels are relatively heavier, which corresponds to the finding that noise pollution is generally perceived as more annoying in the evening and at night. European research therefore shows that a Lden is a relatively good predictor of the extent to which local residents may experience nuisance. The strategic noise map in implementation of Directive 2002/49/EC is updated every five years. As of the strategic noise maps with reference year 2021, a new calculation method was used. This is a new common European calculation method that is mandatory for all Member States as of the mapping exercise with reference year 2021. Because this calculation method differs from that used in previous mapping rounds, it is not appropriate to compare the results of reference year 2021 with previous editions (2006, 2011 and 2016). It cannot be ruled out that differences in calculated exposure are solely due to the application of this new calculation method and do not result from increased or reduced exposure.