Fewer noise complaints at Stansted Airport
October 8, 2008There has been a significant drop in the number of noise complaints being filed by people living near Stansted Airport.
The airport's eighth annual noise seminar at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford yesterday concluded that London Stansted continues to make ground on its environmental record.
It said that as well as closely monitoring the level of noise pollution under flight-paths, airport regulator BAA has succeeded in restricting slots to the "cleanest and most efficient" aircraft.
Speaking at the seminar, Dr Mark Watson, of the Society of British Aerospace Companies, revealed that national aircraft noise emissions are 75 per cent lower than they were 30 years ago.
That trend has been particularly noticeable in the capital, Stansted spokesman Nick Barton said, due in large part to the growing popularity of low-cost carriers with energy-efficient fleets.
"We continue to keep noisy planes out of our airport," Barton was quoted by EADT as saying. "There are strict limits on noise, and we make sure that our airlines stick to the rules."
MEP Richard Howitt, Labour member for Herts and Essex, also weighed in on the subject. He called for an outright ban of the least efficient aircraft at all European airports.
© Adfero Ltd
