The Airport and the Environment

     Noise, which can be defined as any unwanted sound, can cause profound negative effects on humans’ health and their physical, psychological and social well-being and quality of life. Since the emergence of the aviation industry, aircraft noise has been one of the most important sources of excessive noise generated by human activities. Two sources of aircraft noise are the engines, which include two major types of jet and piston engines, and the aircraft frame. In the view of the fact that aircraft produces more noise during take-off and landing, airports are considered to be important contributors to the problem of excessive noise, and from a community’s perspective, one of the most obvious environmental problems of airport activities is noise pollution. In addition, noise generated by ground access systems in the airport landside area adds to the already existing problem of excessive noise in airports.



    With respect to the problem of excessive noise in the vicinity of airports, airport operator needs to reduce aircraft noise emissions, reduce the number of people exposed to excessive noise levels, and finally help local community receive the airport’s plans and activities. Solutions such as urban planning, applying new technologies and designs, and restricting operation of particular aircraft types, frequency of flights and night-time flights, planning and managing land use, and redistributing noise by managing runways and routes use are some of the mitigative measures employed to meet noise quotas and prescribed limits. For the purpose of protecting local communities in the vicinity of airports, curfews and avoidance of immersion of noise during night might seem to be some of the most practical solutions. However, restrictions on night flights and curfews lead to under-utilization of infrastructure, which is not favorable with respect to growth and economic viability of airports. ICAO, with its regulations and manuals, has been very active in noise management and control at airports.

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