Noise 9

United Kingdom

Aircraft Noise

4.1 The DETR has issued a consultation paper proposing changes to the preferential use of Heathrow's runways at night. This consultation paper is a continuation of the consultation process which began in November 1998 with a series of two consultation papers regarding night restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. The Government has decided to introduce runway alternation at night for traffic landing between 11.00 pm and 6.00 am for easterly and westerly operations. The extension follows calls from local communities who are demanding a fairer distribution of aircraft noise at night. The consultation paper seeks comments on two alternative proposals, one, to suspend westerly preference at night, two, to put in place a fixed weekly rotation between westerly and easterly operations at night. Comments are invited from local authorities, local residents, community groups and the aviation industry. (DETR News Release, 23 November 1999)

European Union

Aircraft Noise

4.2 The on-going dispute between the European Union and the US over noise restrictions applicable to "hush-kitted" aircraft is still not resolved. In May 1999, the European Union agreed to delay the date of application of a Regulation prohibiting the operation at European Union airports of "hush-kitted" aircraft registered in a third country due to the scale of US lobbying. The US claimed the legislation favours aeroplanes manufactured by Europe's Airbus Industrie over those made by US-based Boeing Company. European Union transport ministers have signalled that they will delay further or change aircraft noise restrictions to avert a trade dispute with the US who have previously threatened to ban Concorde flights to the US if the hush-kit ban goes ahead. The US have offered to agree to international standards in aircraft noise by September 2001, European Union transport ministers have welcomed this commitment to try to negotiate co-operatively and will try to work towards international standards to replace the EU legislation. (The Financial Times, 7 October 1999)