On Thursday, August 10, residents can see the map and ask questions in Piņķi, Babīte Cultural Education Center, 18:00 to 20:00.
The new strategic airport noise map was developed on the basis of 2022 data. Compared to the previous noise map based on the 2016 data, the area where the daily noise rate is higher than the recommended 55 decibels has decreased by 20%. The area where noise exceeds 45 decibels has fallen by 19%.
The reasons for the noise reduction were explained by the main noise specialist at Rīga airport Jānis Brižs: "Although we have increased both passenger and freight numbers, aircraft have been larger and the number of flights has been lower. And those aircraft have also been quieter. In addition, changes to flight procedures have also been made to ensure that aircraft are slightly higher and, consequently, quieter.
"This is such a cumulative effect from the various aspects that have led to this reduction. Another important aspect that has changed is where aircraft are flying. They fly more west, less east. And then for those residents who live close to the airport a little west, that reduction could be a little less than for those who, for example, live a little east of the airport. "
Interestingly, despite the reduction in noise-affected areas, the number of inhabitants affected by aircraft noise has increased. This is due to an increase in the population in the Pierīga region.
The strategic noise map for the airport should be developed every five years. This time it was developed later because the number of flights fell sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic and the data gathered at that time would not be correct.
