News
Delhi Airport Considers Taxing Aircraft Noise Emissions
Aviation Daily Dec 16 , 2009 , p. 14
Neelam Mathews
Delhi International Airport Ltd. is expected to operate an environmental management system similar to the European Eco Audit Directive (EMAS — Eco- Management and Audit Scheme) and the internationally applicable ISO 14001 standard, within the next three years, The DAILY has learned.
The system, which relates to noise-monitoring by encouraging the use of low-noise aircraft by tying landing charges to actual noise emissions, is being advocated by various activist groups and “persons of political importance” who live on the flight descent zone.
Noise from aircraft taking off and landing is the most significant source of noise at an airport, but by no means the only one. In addition, there is the noise of aircraft on taxiways and aprons, the noise made by tow trucks and buses used airside and the noise from maintenance and airfreight operations.
The cue is expected to be taken from Fraport Airport that is a 10% partner in DIAL, a joint venture consortium of GMR Group (54%), Airports Authority of India (26%) and Eraman Malaysia (10% ).
While India’s nascent aviation industry has a high number of fuel-efficient aircraft, many aircraft flying in from abroad are much older.
“Our policy of noise-related airport charges ensures that those airlines that operate quieter equipment enjoy substantial financial benefits, said Ansgar Sickert, managing director-Fraport India, told The DAILY.
The company’s (Fraport) environmental performance is continuously monitored by external auditors. It is not clear how monitoring will be done in Delhi.
In four years ending in 2006, Fraport implemented a passive noise abatement program for the airport neighborhood. Germany, being a cold country has insulated houses. “We insulated just the roofs for homes around the Frankfurt airport. This will not be possible in Delhi where the walls are thinner and windows have no insulation,” said Sickert.
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