The European Commission welcomed the general approach reached by Ministers on airport noise. It particularly thanked the Danish Presidency for its energetic management of the Better Airports proposals. Among other things, the new rules will more clearly identify all actors in the noise assessment process with their respective rights and obligations. The proposal must still be voted by the European Parliament in first reading, and then to be approved by the Council.

The Council reached a general approach on the “airport noise” proposal. On 1 December 2011 the Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on noise-related operating restrictions, in the context of the "Better airports package", together with proposals on groundhandling and airport slots. In March 2012, the Council already reach an agreement on groundhandling. On noise-related operating restrictions, the Commission proposed to repeal Directive 2002/30/EC and to replace it by a new regulation.

The Transport Ministers endorsed the new rules which consist on more clearly identify all actors in the noise assessment process with their respective rights and obligations. The proposal includes to consult citizens living in the vicinity of an airport. In addition, competent authorities should be able to focus on the noisiest aircraft of the fleet (the so-called 'marginally compliant aircraft') and phase them out first, instead of introducing general night flight bans, which would also affect aircraft operators which have been investing in quieter aircraft. The transport ministers have accepted a more stringent definition of such 'marginally compliant aircraft', with step-by-step implementation towards greater stringency.

On the other hand, the Commission will have a right to review the quality of the decision-making process to ensure that all steps in the process have been respected, in line with international commitments, thanks to the new rules. Moreover, it will be empowered to update the noise standards in view of international developments within the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN body for international civil aviation responsible for setting noise standards for aircraft.