Noisy night flight ban proposed by East Midlands Airport
Noisy planes would be banned from taking off or landing at East Midlands Airport (EMA) during the night (23:00 and 07:00) under new plans. The airport’s noise action plan for 2024 to 2028 is proposing bans on three categories of the noisiest planes (QC4, QC8 and QC16 ratings). The suggested changes also would see penalties to airlines flying louder planes at night increased. A consultation closes on 31 July. The airport said night flights account for 45% of its operations, and includes passenger services as well as freight. Under the airport’s planning conditions, noise must not exceed 55 decibels for more than 16km around the site between those hours. EMA says it has a freight capacity of 450,000 tonnes a year, forecast to reach 700,000 by 2040. Since Covid, the number of the older and noisier QC4-rated aircraft flights has increased, which the airport says is due to a shortage of vehicles and the need to meet demand for increased online shopping. Fines for airlines not meeting new “Chapter 14” noise standards – certification standards for noise emissions from aircraft – would currently affect 79% of all night flights, with just 21% meeting the standard in 2022. .Tweet
