Aircraft noise
Aircraft noise generated by aircraft landing and taking off is detectable over an extended area and is, consequently, an important issue for the local community. In addition, noise from aircraft taxiing and engine ground running is an issue for those living in the immediate vicinity of the airport.
Our Policy
It is our policy to promote the development of airport capacity in harmony with the environment. We aim to achieve this through the implementation of noise management strategies to limit the number of residents significantly affected by aircraft noise, and to engage with statutory authorities, elected and community representatives, and other stakeholders in a programme of continuous communication.
Since the airport began commercial operations in 1983, we have consistently sought to develop and improve the range of management strategies in place to minimise the impact of aircraft noise on our local community. Our noise management strategy revolves around both the Planning Agreement (with the Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland), under which the airport operates and Operational Noise Abatement Procedures.
Stipulations in the Planning Agreement
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Operating hours: flights may only be scheduled to operate between 06:30 and 21:30. Extensions may be granted to facilitate delayed aircraft up to 23:59.
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Movements cap: the airport may only operate 48,000 aircraft movements in any 12 month period.
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Seats for sale: airlines may offer no more than 2,000,000 seats for sale on flights from the airport in any 12 month period.
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Flight routings: the majority of flights must take off and land over Belfast Lough. However, as aircraft are required to take off and land by flying into the wind, the choice of route will depend on the prevailing wind conditions.
• Under the Aerodromes (Noise Restrictions, Rules and Procedures) Regulations 2003, George Best Belfast City Airport is only available to noise certified Chapter 3 aircraft (‘Chapter 3’ refers to the noise standard laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)). However, airport management have taken an additional step to prohibit the operation of aircraft only 'marginally' compliant with Chapter 3.
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Noise Contours: to be produced annually to report the extent of noise impacting upon the local community. These reports are lodged with the relevant government departments and members of the Airport Forum for scrutiny purposes.
Operational Noise Abatement Procedures
• All aircraft operators must instigate their aircraft manufacturers' recommended Noise Abatement Procedures for takeoff.
• All arriving aircraft must approach the airfield at the standard approach angle of three degrees.
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Noise Preferential Routes: On attaining a height of 500 ft, aircraft taking off over Belfast Lough execute a left turn to take the aircraft over water. Only on obtaining pre-defined heights may aircraft turn south over the North Down coastline (1,500 ft for a turbo-prop aircraft less than 13,000 kg, 2,000 ft for a turbo-prop aircraft greater than 13,000 kg and 3,000 ft for a jet aircraft). Similarly, aircraft taking off over the city must maintain a straight course until reaching the above heights – after which they may execute a turn.
• The test running of aircraft engines is prohibited between 22:30 and 06:30.
Objectives & Targets
Our objective is to ensure the number of those affected by noise in the community is minimised. For the period 2011-2012 GBBCA aims to:
• Maintain post-21:30 flights to less than 2% of total flights.
• Continue to ensure that there is a bias towards departures and arrivals over Belfast Lough.
• Commence a review of aircraft noise management strategies using Noise & Track Monitoring System data.
Noise Initiatives
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Penalty System: GBBCA has a penalty system in place for all flights taking off or landing after 21:30. Monies from penalties imposed on flights after 21:30 are donated to the
GBBCA Community Fund.
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Noise Track and Monitoring System: GBBCA has invested approximately £150,000 in the purchase and installation of an aircraft Noise and Track Monitoring System (NTMS). The purpose of this system is to record and report actual aircraft noise data and track flight paths for the ongoing assessment of the impact of aircraft noise on the community. This will be a useful tool when dealing with specific queries by the local community about aircraft movements. GBBCA is currently investing to further enhance the NTMS to automatically detect non-compliances with Noise Abatement Procedures.
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Noise Standards: GBBCA encourages airlines to operate aircraft types which meet ‘Chapter 4’ –the ICAO’s more stringent noise standard. The majority of aircraft operating at GBBCA are Chapter 4 compliant.
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Fixed Electrical Ground Power Installation: To minimise the impact of ground noise, GBBCA has installed Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP) on all 10 aircraft stands in front of the terminal which provides aircraft with a silent electrical supply. Airlines are encouraged to use FEGP wherever possible.
Our Performance
Link to Statistics web page