Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The environmental impact of aviation activities was discused at Air Traffic Services

The first official meeting of the Forum Joint management of the environmental impact of aviation activities in the vicinity of airports Sofia, Varna, Bourgas, Plovdiv and Gorna Oryahovitsa (JMEI) was held today at the Air Traffic Services Authorities’ premises.

The Forum was established in compliance with the European requirements in the field of aviation and it is in line with one of the measures in the field of environment which is set in the plan for the Single European Sky (ESSIP). The purpose of the measures is to minimize noise and gas emissions from the operation of aircrafts in the vicinity of the airports as well as reducing the impact of pollution from ice prevention activities. A structured forum for each airport has to be created so as to achieve this objective as well as other specific purposes, which involves the so-called operational stakeholders - air navigation service provider (ANSP), the airport operator and the aircraft operators that are using that airport. Establishing JMEI on a mass scale in Europe by the end of 2015 is one of the priorities of the European Master Plan for the air traffic management (ATM Master Plan).

In the last year two preliminary meetings were held with representatives of all stakeholders. The entire preparation process was carried out with the support of representatives of the European Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation EUROCONTROL and in accordance with their Authority for joint management of the environment in the vicinity of the airports.

Two documents have been prepared describing the vision, objectives and methodology of the work of Joint Management of Environmental Impact - "Common Vision for the environment" and "Rules of the Joint Management of Environmental Impact Council " approved and signed by the management of the Directorate General "Civil Aviation Administration" at the Ministry of Transport, Information technology and Communications, State Enterprise "Air Traffic Service Authority", "Sofia Airport" JSC, "Fraport Twin Star Airport Management", "Airport Plovdiv" JSC, "Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport" JSC, "Bulgaria Air", "Air Via" and "Wizz Air".

The common vision of the participants in the Joint Management of Environmental Impact includes the implementation of the following policies:

• Support for achieving compliance with the rules and regulations on environment.
• Planning and implementing continuous improvements in the operation of aircrafts to protect the quality of life of neighbouring communities, to conserve limited resources and reduce the aviation impact on environment, improving its sustainable development.
• Providing adequate and accurate information and exchanging information between the operational interested parties on all projects, plans or proposals which may have environmental consequences.
• Effective involvement of interested parties, including a broad range of participants of the aviation industry, regulatory authorities, municipalities, regional planning bodies, NGOs and communities neighbouring the airport so as to provide understanding of the issues and concerns regarding the environmental impact from the operation of aircraft and others.

The issues discussed at the first meeting were related to:

• Performance indicators in the area of environment, according to Implementing Regulation (EU) № 390/2013 determining the performance scheme for air navigation services and network functions.
• The need for exchange of information between the interested parties and operational measures to improve compliance with the routes and operational constraints to control the noise level in the area of Sofia Airport.
• Organisational issues.

The Joint Management of Environmental Impact Council will meet whenever necessary, but not less than twice a year.