City News

Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden, has helped Birmingham International Airport and NATS launch a new scheme - Continual Decent Approaches - to further reduce the noise of aircraft operations.
 
The basic principle of a Continual Decent Approach (CDA) is that arriving aircraft stay higher for longer, by descending at a continuous rate. This technique uses significantly less engine thrust which makes life quieter for communities around the airport. Less thrust means less fuel burn – and that’s good news for the environment too, as it also means fewer carbon emissions.
 
Continual Decent Approaches (CDAs), will be introduced at Birmingham from May, following the successful completion of a trial, driven by NATS. Throughout the trial, the Air Traffic Controllers at NATS have worked with airlines to change the way that arriving aircraft approach the airport. Their hard work has already led to an improvement in CDAs from 50% to 90%.
 
Caroline Spelman launched this new initiative at the annual ‘Operation Pathfinder’ Awards at the Airport, which are now in their third year. The awards were inspired by Mrs Spelman, following her regular meetings with the Airport on behalf of her constituents.
 
The awards encourage a more open dialogue between the Airport and its airlines, ensuring that everyone has a part to play in maintaining defined routes, and reducing nuisance to neighbours. Regular ‘Operation Pathfinder’ meetings take place, with more airlines having joined the scheme in the last year. This year’s awards were presented to Swiss International Airlines, Ryanair, Monarch Airlines and Brussels Airlines.
 
Caroline Spelman said: “It is great to be at the Airport for two celebrations today. This third anniversary of Operation Pathfinder is testament to the hard work that the Airport’s Environment Team and the airlines have undertaken to ensure that residents are not subjected to unnecessary noise from low flying aircraft. Over the three years, it has been encouraging to see that airlines realise the impact that their aircraft can have over populated areas, and they are keen to improve. I would like to congratulate the airlines, NATS and the Airport for their continued work on this project and the successful partnership that they have developed through Operation Pathfinder.
 
“Additionally, the implementation of Continual Decent Approach means that residents will be subjected to less noise from arriving aircraft which is good news for everyone and something that I am pleased Birmingham Airport has launched as an initiative, as it demonstrates the company’s commitment to its environmental promises.”
 
John Morris, Head of Corporate and Community Affairs for the Airport, said: “As many residents are aware, the Airport constantly strives to be a good neighbour and we often can’t achieve our goals alone. We are delighted that so many airlines have continued to take part in the Operation Pathfinder initiative and with the on track results improving since last year, from 97.79% to 98.37% this year, it shows how Birmingham Airport is aware of its close connections with the community, and in working with the airlines we hope that this can continue.
 
“It is not generally known that the ‘footprint’ for noise disturbance at Birmingham has been reduced by about three quarters over the last twenty years or so, and that far fewer people are affected by us than used to be the case”.
 
BIA’s noise and track-keeping monitoring system, ANOMS 8, has provided the Airport Company with the information for these awards to take place. ANOMS 8 is an aircraft track-keeping and noise monitoring system to assist in noise exceedences, off-track departures, as well as providing detailed maps and sound recordings. It also offers an advanced database to help the Airport’s Environment Team monitor and investigate community enquiries, thus enhancing the Airport’s ability to communicate more effectively with its neighbours.