The Airport and the Environment

    As more aircraft are being used to transport people and products, the airspace system is becoming more crowded. The vast majority of traffic is a factor in airport traffic saturation. Commercial airplanes have an impact on the environment and the communities who live close to airports as a result of this increase. People who live close to airports are impacted by aircraft noise, which is one of the major environmental issues in local communities in cities today. "This is supported by evidence that aircraft noise exposure is associated with reduced well-being, lower self-reported quality of life and higher levels of self-reported stress, anxiety, depression and psychological morbidity" (Salah, 2014). 

  "The historical trend in aircraft noise has shown a reduction of approximately 20 dB since the 1960s largely due to the adoption of high bypass turbofans and more effective lining materials" (Salah, 2014). The number of persons negatively impacted by noise has significantly decreased thanks to new technologies and stricter regulatory standards, despite the significant expansion in air travel during the past few decades. Despite the fact that fewer people are exposed to loud aviation noise, "local communities still experiencing levels that residents perceive as unacceptable are increasingly willing to oppose expansions of airport facilities and operations" (National Research Council, 2002). 

  

  To reduce aircraft noise at airports, a variety of techniques have been tried. However, noise levels near airports, particularly in the takeoff and landing lanes, continue to be excessive and interfere with people's quality of life. Today, this is regarded as one of the most important environmental issues affecting both the population and the environment.

    Because it depends on so many variables and involves so many distinct difficulties, controlling noise near airports is a complicated subject. The process of creating standards is enhanced by ICAO's ongoing monitoring of noise reduction technology research and development. In order to assess anticipated commercial aircraft noise levels between 2020 and 2030, CAEP undertook an independent expert evaluation. The assessment concentrated on cutting-edge engine designs and new, innovative aircraft.

References

For Greener Skies: Reducing Environmental Impacts of Aviation. (2002). In nap.nationalacademies.org. National Research Council. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/10353/chapter/4

Salah, K. (2014). Environmental impact reduction of commercial aircraft around airports. Less noise and less fuel consumption. European Transport Research Review.