Sustainable development, the basic principle of the European Treaties, rests on three pillars: quality of life (including environment and health), but also social welfare and economy. The objective is to consider these three elements in order to reach a balance. Focusing on environment only has a negative impact on employment and economy.
Environmental decisions are political choices. As far as aviation is concerned, safety is and remains the priority. Belgocontrol checks if departure route schemes respect safety (regulatory separations, non-conflict between departure and arrival routes, Obstacle Clearance Limit), converts decisions in aeronautical terms and publishes them according to the ICAO’s schedule.
Although environment does not belong to the company missions, it has an ever increasing impact on the activities of air navigation service providers. Belgocontrol wants to play a proactive part through the study of means, procedures and techniques that have a positive effect on the environment without compromising its basic missions regarding safety and efficiency in air traffic management.
Three aspects must be taken into consideration:
- noise
- local air quality (near airports)
- greenhouse gas emissions from air transport, which have an effect on climate change.
