London Stansted launches public consultation on Noise Action Plan

The five-year action plan – the third for London Stansted – looks to build on the measures already taken in managing the effects of aircraft noise on local people and proposes a range of new measures.

These include; further restricting the use of the noisiest types of aircraft that can operate at night, proposing stricter penalties for noisy aircraft and looking to implement further improvements to the flying accuracy of aircraft using our departure routes.

Since the publication of the first NAP in 2011 the number of people within Stansted’s noise contours has reduced, even though the airport has returned to significant growth. This is largely due to the introduction of new, quieter aircraft – Stansted’s fleet of aircraft is one of the most modern in Europe. Other measures that have reduced the impact of noise includes the introduction of satellite navigation to further improve aircraft track keeping.

The draft plan considers the airport’s future growth whilst also assessing potential noise disturbance associated with the airport within communities living near Stansted. It also explores the likely benefits of new aircraft technology and operating procedures, and additionally, the introduction of enhanced noise controls and tracking capabilities.

Following consultation during 2018 with a range of stakeholders who have an interest in the airport, the new plan will be presented for formal adoption by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2019.

Ken O’Toole, CEO of London Stansted, said: “Since Manchester Airports Group (MAG) acquired London Stansted in 2013, we have been committed to not only maximising the social and economic benefits of our growth but also ensuring we have strong and robust environmental and noise management measures in place.

“We have ambitious plans for Stansted that will create more choice for passengers, new terminal facilities and more opportunity for local people. Our planning application to serve up to 43 million passengers a year comes with a commitment to grow within our limits. This means we make best use of our existing capacity without increasing the number of flights we already have approval for, and we are proposing containing our impacts within reduced environmental noise limits.

“We recognise that some communities around the airport are affected by aircraft noise and we want to work in partnership with local residents, airlines, regulatory agencies and the Government to reduce these impacts where possible.

“We have made significant progress in this area, and despite the airport’s ongoing growth, the number of people within our noise contours has actually fallen. This is largely due to the introduction of new, quieter aircraft and smarter ways of flying, and over the course of the next five years technology will continue to deliver further improvements.

“This new draft Noise Action Plan will provide us with a road map for tackling noise disturbance which range from restricting the use of the noisiest aircraft at night through to investigating the use of steeper approaches to keep aircraft higher for longer. It also shows how we have performed in relation to our previous commitments to managing noise.”