The best of airlines, the worst of airlines
NOISE REDUCTION FROM PLANES IS ‘STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION’ SAY CAMPAIGNERS AS RANKINGS ARE REVEALED
THE latest airline noise rankings have revealed Dreamliners are attributed to a new low record for noise created by planes at Heathrow.
The “Fly Quiet and Clean” report for April to June showed a fleet of carriers improved scores in the league table.
Campaigners have praised the tables as a step in the right direction, but point out residents are still affected by noise from planes.
The latest results delivered a noise milestone as it was the first month without the oldest generation, and noisiest, “Chapter 3” aircraft operating at the airport.
Air India scaled up the ranks by 37 places to land itself in fifth position this year, in part because of its use of Boeing 787s at the west London airport.
The aircraft produces 20% to 25% fewer C02 emissions and has a smaller noise effect than the airplanes it replaces.
The airline’s improved score has been attributed to its “track keeping”, which is the ability to adhere to the government-set noise preferential routes in the skies around Heathrow.
The report ranked 50 of the busiest airlines operating from Heathrow based on seven noise and emission metrics.
Other airlines which improved on the board included Singapore Airlines, jumping up 21 places to rank 12, and Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SN Brussels which are all up by more than 10 places compared to last quarter.
The league report shows airlines are operating cleaner, quieter planes on Heathrow routes with Dreamliners now the fastest growing aircraft type at the airport.
Data revealed more than 700 additional flights were made on this aircraft in June 2017 compared to last year.
The phase out of the noisiest aircraft is part of Heathrow’s ‘Noise Blueprint’, and from this year charges increased ten-fold for airlines that want to land these type of planes.
Heathrow said it will continue to work with all airlines, particularly those at the bottom of the league, to improve their scores.
Matt Gorman, Heathrow director of sustainability, said: “Heathrow airlines continue to bring the best of their fleet to our airport – a trend which not only delivers benefits for our passengers, but also makes our skies quieter and cleaner.
“Upgrading aircraft is the single best way to cut emissions, and to continue to shrink our noise footprint.
“We are pleased to see our efforts, including increasing our charges for noisier aircraft this year, are yielding results and we hope to continue the trend seen this month so our passengers and local communities benefit from Heathrow’s newer, cleaner fleets.”
John Stewart, chairman of campaign group HACAN (Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise), said: “Planes can still be very noisy for people living under flight paths but these tables are a useful step in the right direction.”