26 January 2004 4/2004
Date of expiry: 26 April 2004
The European Parliament,
- having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. considering that noise is one of the most serious threats to health, especially
for children;
B. considering that almost one third of the population of the European Union
is already affected by noise;
C. considering that more than ten million people suffer in Europe from aircraft
noise and that even if a decrease in noise is possible through technical improvements,
the enormous increase in the number of flights will counteract the effects of
these;
D. considering that noise from landings and take-offs is particularly harmful
during the night;
E. considering that a good night's sleep is a human right, as declared by the
European Court of Human Rights;
F. considering that there is a risk of competition between airports to the prejudice
of residents in the affected areas if decisions to ban night flights are taken
at national or regional level;
The European Parliament asks:
1. that the utmost priority be given to the health of European citizens;
2. the European Commission to propose legislation banning night flights between
11.00 p.m. and 7.00 a.m. at all airports in the European Union.