## Heathrow Airport Takes Flight with Sustainable Practices: Fly Quieter and Greener League Table Relauched
Heathrow Airport, the UK’s primary airport, has once again taken a leading role in promoting sustainable aviation practices by relaunching its innovative Fly Quieter and Greener league table. This program, first introduced in 2013, evaluates the performance of the top 50 airlines operating at Heathrow based on their noise and emissions levels. The aim? To encourage airlines to adopt more eco-friendly practices and provide local communities with transparent data on their environmental impact.
Shining a Light on Sustainable Airlines
The league table, updated quarterly, assesses airlines across several key metrics, including:
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Noise Levels:
This measures the noise generated by aircraft during takeoff and landing.*
Late-Night Operations:
The frequency of flights operating after 11:30 PM is tracked, as these tend to have a greater impact on local residents.*
Innovative Practices:
Airlines are recognized for their commitment to implementing new technologies and procedures that reduce noise pollution.In the most recent report, five airlines emerged as leaders in sustainable aviation: SAS, KM Malta Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines. These airlines are recognized for their exemplary performance in minimizing their environmental footprint.
A Collaborative Approach to a Greener Future
Heathrow Airport recognizes that achieving a sustainable future for aviation requires a collective effort. Airport officials regularly engage with airlines, encouraging the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft and exploring new procedures designed to minimize noise impacts.
Heathrow’s Chief Communication and Sustainability Officer, Nigel Milton, emphasizes the shared responsibility:
“Protecting the benefits of aviation while reducing our negative impacts needs to be a joint effort between airlines and the airport. Working with our airlines, we have already removed the loudest, most polluting aircraft from our runways, but we need to go further. Fly Quieter and Greener will help us continue to track the impact of airport operations, while letting everyone see the results for themselves.”Significant Progress in Noise Reduction
Over the past few decades, Heathrow has made significant strides in reducing its noise footprint. Comparing data from 2023 to 2006, the overall noise contour for day, evening, and night (Lden 55 dB) has decreased by an impressive 41%. Furthermore, the core night noise contour from 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM (Leq, 6.5h 48 dB) has seen a substantial reduction of 58%.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Sustainability
Heathrow’s latest Noise Action Plan outlines a series of commitments to continue this positive trend. The Fly Quieter and Greener initiative plays a vital role in this plan, promoting two key aspects:
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Use of Quieter Aircraft:
Encouraging airlines to adopt aircraft models with lower noise emissions.*
Implementation of Quieter Operational Procedures:
Adopting new procedures during takeoff, landing, and taxiing to minimize noise disturbances.Additionally, Heathrow is investing in noise insulation for local residences and funding research to better understand the impact of noise on the community.
The relaunch of the Fly Quieter and Greener league table highlights Heathrow Airport’s commitment to sustainability and transparency. By working collaboratively with airlines and investing in innovative solutions, Heathrow is taking significant steps towards a future where aviation can thrive while minimizing its environmental impact.