Airport noise is just plane infuriating

Heart issues for 17,000 residents, report claims

- KEITH FALKINER

AIRCRAFT noise at Dublin Airport has a “human health cost" of almost €800million and causes heart issues for nearly 17,000 people living nearby, a new report claims.

The study, carried out for the local St Margaret's The Ward Residents Group, comes amid an ongoing legal battle by several airlines, including Ryanair and Aer Lingus, to lift the annual 32 million passenger cap at the airport.

The residents’ group opposes the lifting of the cap and the extension of flight numbers, claiming their lives will be ruined by the increase in noise from further take-offs and landings.

Its 20-page analysis, prepared by PMCA Economic Consulting, uses figures provided by the airport noise regulator last year.

A 2024 survey by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority found 71,388 local residents were “highly annoyed” and 32,562 “highly sleep disturbed”.

Applying what it calls “internationally accepted disturbance survey metrics”, the report says the ANCA stats indicate 16,746 people living around the north Dublin facility have been impacted by heart issues and that a total of 120,696 are affected with general health problems.