Air transport noise

Loyola de Palacio, European Commission Vice-President in charge of Transport and Energy, met today in Brussels Dr. Assad Kotaite, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council. During this meeting she underlined the openness of the European Union for a dialogue with United States and called for the definition of an international standard.

Loyola de Palacio congratulated Dr Assad Kotaite for all the efforts he is making to find appropriate solutions in the current conflict between the United States and the European Union on the "Hushkits issue." She again expressed her regret that no agreement was found with the US authorities, which initiated a procedure on the basis of article 84 Chicago convention. "This procedure is counterproductive in our efforts to develop a new global standard, because it confirms the impression of the European Parliament and the Council that the US position is more linked to commercial interests than to defending the environment," she said. Nevertheless, she added, "the Commission is fully prepared to try and find a negotiated solution to the conflict with the United States."

Loyola de Palacio also welcomed the results of the ICAO/CAEP meeting on 17 January, which was successful in reaching agreement on recommendations to the ICAO Council in 2 areas:

- A new -Chapter 4- noise standard with an increase in stringency of 10dB in comparison to the current Chapter 3 standard to be applied as from 1 January 2006. "It is a positive environmental signal from ICAO," said Loyola de Palacio.

- Harmonized rules on re-certification of existing aircraft to the chapter 4 standard, to be incorporated in the relevant ICAO technical annexes, which will greatly contribute to maintaining the integrity of the noise certificate.

However, more progress needs to be made on the definition of regional operating restrictions during the transitional period. "I am confident that an acceptable result can be achieved at the forthcoming ICAO Assembly," said Loyola de Palacio. «This would certainly help to overcome our differences with the United States."

In view of this assembly, which will take place on September 2001, Loyola de Palacio confirmed her full support to Dr Assad Kotaite in order to favor a balanced agreement.

Background:

On 17 January 2001, the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) met in Montreal. It has developed a comprehensive series of recommendations to reduce the environmental impact of aircraft noise and engine exhaust emissions. The recommendations will be submitted to the Council of ICAO for review and further action.

On aircraft noise, CAEP endorsed a balanced approach to noise mitigation, consisting of four distinct, complementary elements: reduction of noise at source; improved land use planning and control; a wider use of noise abatement operational procedures; and operating restrictions.

Specific CAEP recommendations in these four areas include:

- a new noise standard which is 10 decibels lower, on a cumulative basis, than the current Chapter 3 standards in Annex 16 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, for new aircraft design, effective 1 January 2006;

- procedures for re-certification of existing aircraft meeting the new standard;

- more stringent noise standards for helicopters;

- publication of guidance material on land-use planning;

- a proposal for new take-off noise abatement procedures.

CAEP also considered the question of operating restrictions on Chapter 3 aircraft but no final conclusion was reached.

ICAO was created in 1944 to promote the safe and orderly development of civil aviation in the world. A specialized agency of the United Nations, it sets international standards and regulations necessary for the safety, security, efficiency and regularity of air transport and serves as the medium for co-operation in all fields of civil aviation among its 185 Contracting States.

The Hush-Kit regulation (Council Regulation (EC) 925/1999 was adopted by the Council in April 1999. Its purpose is to freeze the number of the noisiest recertificated aircraft, which can be registered in, or operated into, the EU. The Regulation entered into force on 1st May 2000, but will only take effect for aeroplanes registered in third countries in April 2002.

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