On October 5th, Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport (RHIA) brought together experts for an engaging RHIA Talk dedicated to one of the most tangible challenges facing airports and their surrounding communities: aircraft noise.
While discussions on sustainable aviation often focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), hydrogen technologies, emissions reduction and contrail mitigation, noise remains one of the most immediate concerns for citizens living near airports. The RHIA Talk on Steeper Approaches explored how innovative operational procedures are being developed and tested to enable steeper approaches at airports. Demonstrating that these procedures can be flown safely and efficiently is a key prerequisite for assessing potential benefits, including possible impacts on noise exposure.
Steeper Approach Explainer
Hosted at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, the event convened a remarkable line-up of specialists representing research institutes, industry, aviation authorities and government. Together, they shared insights into the technical, operational, policy and societal dimensions of steeper approaches.
A multi-perspective view on noise reduction
The afternoon opened with an inspiring introduction by Mark Dorsman (NLR and Transavia), who framed the opportunities and challenges of steeper approach procedures within the broader transition towards sustainable aviation.
Mark: “Rotterdam The Hague Airport provides the ideal setting for turning innovative ideas into reality. It offers a unique environment for implementing more sustainable approaches and reducing noise in the surrounding area. This project is an excellent starting point for developing a blueprint, bringing stakeholders together, and establishing a shared roadmap”
Participants subsequently gained insights from a diverse range of perspectives:
The combination of scientific, operational and policy perspectives provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding steeper approach implementation.
Collaborative ideation
Following the presentations, participants engaged in interactive workshop sessions facilitated by Nanette Lim and Victor Rijkaart. The objective was not only to discuss the potential of steeper approaches, but also to identify research questions, collaboration opportunities and practical pathways for further development.
Several recurring themes emerged from the discussions:
Participants emphasised the importance of developing a common long-term vision for steeper approaches. Rather than viewing implementation as an isolated project, attendees highlighted the need for a collaborative blueprint involving airports, airlines, air navigation service providers, regulators, researchers and local communities.
The workshops underlined the value of creating a structured roadmap that combines short-term demonstrators and trials with a longer-term pathway towards wider adoption.
“It is remarkable to see how all stakeholders share the same goal, yet how complex it is to achieve it. This is precisely why bringing everyone in the ecosystem together is so important: to build a shared vision and develop a joint roadmap to reach steeper approach,” Nanette Lim (NLR)
A key discussion topic centred on certification requirements and regulatory frameworks. Participants identified opportunities to explore how future aircraft designs could be developed with steeper approach capabilities in mind and how certification pathways can support innovation.
Several groups highlighted the importance of engaging with international stakeholders, including EASA and ICAO, to align future procedures and standards.
Participants recognised that demonstrating actual impact remains crucial. Discussions focused on how success should be measured and how objective sound measurements can be combined with community perception data.
Questions were raised around:
The workshops reinforced that reducing measured noise levels alone is not sufficient. Understanding how local communities experience and perceive changes is equally important.
A recurring message throughout the sessions was the importance of involving residents and communities from an early stage.
Participants stressed that innovation should be accompanied by transparent communication regarding objectives, expected outcomes and measurable results. Building trust through openness and engagement was identified as a key success factor for future trials and demonstrations.
Many participants saw significant value in using RHIA as a testing and demonstration environment. Suggestions included practical trials, collaborative research programmes and living lab initiatives that allow stakeholders to gain experience while gathering real-world data.
Such demonstrations could help bridge existing knowledge gaps, validate assumptions and provide evidence for future decision-making.
Foundation for future research
The discussions demonstrated that steeper approaches are about much more than a flight procedure. They touch upon aircraft design, certification, airport operations, air traffic management, policy, measurement methodologies and community acceptance. Most importantly, the event highlighted the willingness across the aviation ecosystem to work together on solutions that can contribute to a better balance between airport operations and quality of life in surrounding communities.
Mark: “Now is the time to move forward. The stakeholders’ willingness to collaborate provides a strong foundation for future research and demonstration projects. By working together, we can take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable aviation industry.”
The RHIA Talk not only provided valuable knowledge exchange but also generated a series of potential research themes and collaborative opportunities that can be further explored through RHIA’s innovation pathways.
We would like to thank all speakers, participants and partners for their valuable contributions and for helping shape the next steps in this important conversation.
