HEATHROW will start ranking airlines by how noisy their fleets are, in a scheme designed to encourage quieter aircraft.
As part of the Fly Quiet programme, launched today (Wednesday), Heathrow will rank and score the top 50 airlines according to six noise-related criteria, and publish the results every three months.
Heathrow will work closely with those which fail to meet targets to improve their ratings.
It is the first time a UK airport has launched such a programme.
John Stewart, chair of noise campaign group HACAN, said the initiative was "a constructive move to improve the noise climate."
Matt Gorman, Heathrow’s Sustainability Director, said: "The launch of the Fly Quiet programme signals our firm commitment to being transparent about aircraft noise and our progress in reducing its impact on local communities whilst still safeguarding the vital connectivity and economic growth that Heathrow provides."
In the first Fly Quiet league table, covering July to September 2013, 80 per cent of the listed airlines have met Heathrow’s minimum requirements on noise. British Airways short haul took top position as the quietest airline operating out of Heathrow.
This launch follows the publication of ‘A Quieter Heathrow’ in May, a report which sets out the steps Heathrow intend to take to reduce the impact of aircraft noise.
Do you think Heathrow is doing enough to help communities near the flight path? Email jack.griffith@trinitymirror.com with your views.
