Acoustic treatment in airports
Acoustic comfort, intelligibility and noise control in high-traffic spaces
Airports are complex infrastructures where thousands of people, public address systems, retail areas, waiting areas and large architectural volumes coexist. In this context, acoustics play a fundamental role both in the user experience and in the proper operational functioning of the building.
At Decustik, we take part in acoustic treatment projects for airports, terminals and transport stations, developing solutions based on technical wooden acoustic panels adapted to large-scale spaces, high occupancy and continuous use.
The aim of acoustic treatment in an airport is not to eliminate sound, but to control reverberation, improve the intelligibility of public address announcements and create more comfortable environments for passengers and staff.
The importance of acoustics in an airport
In an airport terminal, acoustics directly influence:
- The clarity of public address announcements.
- The acoustic comfort of passengers and staff.
- The perception of order and quality within the space.
- The reduction of noise fatigue during prolonged waiting periods.
- The functionality of retail and waiting areas.
Airports often combine highly reflective surfaces (glass, metal, stone or technical ceilings) with large volumes and constant passenger flow, factors that contribute to noise build-up and excessive reverberation.
Common acoustic challenges in airports
1. Reverberation in large open spaces
Problem: Halls, terminals and boarding areas often feature large volumes and rigid surfaces that reflect sound, increasing reverberation time and creating acoustically saturated environments.
Solution: Incorporate sound-absorbing acoustic panels on ceilings and high walls, such as perforated, slotted or micro-perforated technical wood panels. These solutions help reduce RT60 and improve the overall comfort of the space.
2. Poor intelligibility of public address announcements
Problem: In highly reverberant spaces, public address announcements may lose clarity due to sound reflections and background noise.
Solution: Apply acoustic treatment focused on the frequency range of the human voice, improving the intelligibility of announcements without the need to excessively increase the broadcast volume.
3. Noise build-up in waiting and food service areas
Problem: Waiting areas, cafés and retail spaces concentrate conversations and continuous activity, generating high noise levels.
Solution: Strategically distribute sound-absorbing surfaces through acoustic panels integrated into the architectural design, reducing accumulated sound energy and improving perceived comfort.
4. Coexistence of very different uses within the same building
Problem: An airport brings together fast transit areas, waiting areas, security checkpoints, retail spaces and VIP lounges, each with different acoustic requirements.
Solution: Design the acoustic treatment by sectors, adapting the level of absorption and the type of panel to the functional characteristics of each space.
Benefits of acoustic treatment in airports
A well-planned acoustic treatment can:
- Improve the intelligibility of public address announcements.
- Reduce the perception of constant noise.
- Enhance acoustic comfort during long stays.
- Create more balanced and organised environments.
- Improve the overall passenger experience.
- Contribute to a perception of higher architectural quality.
In high-traffic environments, small improvements in acoustic performance can have a significant impact on the user experience.
Applications of acoustic treatment in airports
- Terminals and boarding areas: Acoustic treatments on ceilings and high walls to control reverberation and ambient noise.
- Waiting areas: Sound-absorbing panels that help reduce accumulated noise and improve passenger comfort.
- Retail and food service areas: Integrated acoustic solutions that promote more comfortable conversations and less acoustically saturated environments.
- VIP lounges: Treatments designed to create quieter and more comfortable environments.
- Corridors and circulation areas: Application of acoustic panels that help limit sound propagation throughout the terminal.
Decustik Solutions
At Decustik, we design and manufacture technical wooden acoustic panels adapted to large-scale infrastructures, where resistance, architectural integration and acoustic performance are key factors.
Common solutions in airports:
- Perforated panels → efficient absorption in large volumes.
- Slotted panels → acoustic control with a linear aesthetic.
- Micro-perforated panels → visual discretion and strong acoustic performance.
- Slatted systems → architectural integration and balanced absorption.
- Custom-made solutions → adaptation to complex geometries and large surfaces.
All our systems are tested according to current acoustic standards and manufactured with high-quality technical wood, with FSC or PEFC certified options.
If you are developing an acoustic treatment project for an airport or transport terminal, our team can advise you from a technical and realistic perspective, adapted to the functional and architectural requirements of the space.
