Noise

The issue: Aircraft noise is a key issue for the local community and its effective management is an important part of our ability to develop in a responsible way. Aircraft are becoming progressively quieter and we are working in partnership with our airline customers to make further progress in managing the noise impacts of their operations.

Noise is created largely from aircraft approaching or taking off from the airport and ground noise such as taxiing aircraft or engine testing from sources within the airport perimeter.

Our approach: We work towards gaining the trust of the local community by using all practical means to minimise existing aircraft noise impacts. Due to airspace, aircraft capability, and safety reasons the airport has limited ability to be able to change the majority of aircraft routes. This is important particularly in relation to areas close to either end of the runway.

However, these are the ways in which we manage the noise impact on our local community:

• No scheduled night flights
• Noise preferred routings for aircraft
• Ban on noisier types of aircraft
• Limited helicopter movements
• Strictly limited aircraft training movements
• Strict limits on aircraft engine testing
• Strict limits on ground running of aircraft engines.

We have a noise and flight evaluation unit which handles the complaints and comments received by the local community about aircraft noise and routing. It offers the following services to the local community:

• A dedicated community comment line and email address for members of the public to report an aircraft which has caused a disturbance
• Each individual complaint is recorded on a database, and presented as part of the data provided to the Southampton Airport Consultative Committee for review on a quarterly basis
• Complaints are investigated using our track monitoring equipment, where possible, and individually responded to. The aim of the Unit is to investigate and reply to all enquiries within five working days
• Home visits are offered to some individuals to help their understanding of noise or routeing issues which have not been previously resolved
• Some individuals are invited to the airport to meet with members of the management team to discuss their particular concerns.

During 2006/07, we aimed to develop an enhanced strategy to manage noise impacts.

Our performance
Target 2006/07: To develop an enhanced strategy to manage our noise impacts.
Performance against target: Target bettered. 

Southampton Airport published a strategy to manage noise impacts in January 2007 with a number of objectives to help manage noise impacts associated with the airport. A number of the objectives in the strategy have already progressed, meaning that the 2006/07 target was bettered. 

As part of implementing the noise strategy, work has focussed on the planning of a new track keeping system. This is being project managed by the planning and development team to ensure that all infrastructure is installed so new track keeping software can be as beneficial and as accurate as possible in terms of the coverage it provides.

A further project has also started to evaluate some noise monitoring locations which will hopefully be combined into the track keeping system and inform discussions at the Technical Working Group. The group evaluates noise measures such as the noise preferred routing trials and will be consulted on the application of noise monitoring. The sites for noise monitors have to be considered carefully as background noise can affect the success of noise monitors.
 
We actively encourages our airline partners to minimise noise disturbance wherever possible. An example of this is through Flybe, who are currently phasing in a new aircraft that will bring substantial reductions in noise levels of up to 35% over the BAe146 aircraft it replaces. The new quieter Embraer 195 aircraft began to replace the older BAe146 aircraft during March 2007.    

Going forward: This year, in conjunction with the Technical Working Group (a sub-committee of the Southampton Airport Consultative Committee), we will work towards concluding the 2005/06 noise preferred routing trials and publish the results.