Eindhoven Airport applies for a nature permit

Eindhoven Airport is applying for a nature permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (LVVN). The reason for this is the increased nitrogen emissions resulting from fleet renewal and fleet upscaling.

Eindhoven Airport aims to reduce noise while simultaneously limiting nitrogen emissions. Fleet renewal is an important tool for noise reduction and is necessary to meet the agreements regarding noise reduction towards 2030. In addition to fleet renewal, airlines are upsizing their fleets. Larger aircraft are being deployed due to the limited (noise) capacity at Eindhoven Airport. Fleet renewal is a positive development for noise and CO2. However, the downside is that new and heavier aircraft partly cause more nitrogen emissions. The trend of fleet renewal and upscaling is expected to continue in the future.

Due to the increased nitrogen emissions resulting from fleet renewal, the airport is applying for a nature permit, already considering the future in which these developments will lead to a further increase in nitrogen emissions. As a mitigating measure, external offsetting (the purchase of nitrogen rights) has also been used. However, there is still much uncertainty regarding the requirement for additionality.

Eindhoven Airport had previously submitted an application for a nature permit. As a result, in June 2024, the airport received a positive refusal of the nature permit application, along with a bespoke regulation that includes a (nitrogen) emission cap for airside activities. These activities comprise air traffic, taxiing, APU and diesel consumption, and engine testing.