Stansted airport wants consultation on aircraft noise

[October 6th 2008]

Stansted airport is urging the government to outline plans for the new community noise action plan.

Speaking at Stansted airport’s 8th Annual Noise Seminar, Stansted airport commercial and development director, Nick Barton, said: “We continue to urge the government to get to grips with preparations for the new community noise action plan. We are ready to consult with local people just as soon as we hear what guidelines airports, including Stansted, will be expected to follow”.

At Stansted airport’s Noise Seminar, attended by almost 100 community representatives, MEPs, local councillors and business representatives at the Duxford Imperial War Museum, Barton explained how Stansted airport is working to minimise aircraft noise.

“We continue to champion the use at Stansted of the world's most modern, clean and efficient aircraft - the type operated by low-cost airlines that operate here,” said Barton. "Second, we continue to keep noisy planes out of our airport. There are strict limits on noise, and we make sure that our airlines stick to the rules,” he added.

Noise problems at Stansted are said to have improved over recent years. “While aircraft numbers may have increased, it's a fact that the area worst affected by noise has decreased significantly in size. And that is thanks to advances in aircraft technology,” Barton explained.

Another speaker at the Stansted airport Noise Seminar, head of corporate environmental affairs at the society of British Aerospace Companies, Dr Mark Watson, revealed that aircraft noise has diminished considerably.

"Current aircraft noise emissions are seventy five per cent lower than they were thirty years ago and we have set ourselves the target of a further reduction of fifty per cent of 2000 levels by 2020. An identical target has been set carbon dioxide emissions” said Watson.

"The aerospace industry is confident that by the time the new runways at Heathrow and Stansted are built we will have delivered on our own self-imposed targets to cut noise, carbon dioxide and other emissions. Technological innovation will enable airport expansion to be sustainable environmentally as well as economically," Watson concluded.

Written by: Nick Purdom