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Aviation Minister Tony McNulty today announced a new procedure for the management of aircraft noise at the UK's busiest airports.

New regulations will mean that when plans to deal with noise problems at major airports are being drawn up, the following measures will have to be taken into account:

- the use of modern, quieter aeroplanes

- using procedures to reduce operational noise (in other words optimising the use of Air Traffic Management procedures so that aircraft are flown as quietly as possible, consistent with safe operation)

- the effect of land-use planning and management policies in preventing or limiting noise sensitive development around airports

- restricting, or possibly banning, aircraft from operating.

The Regulations will come into force on 6 August 2003 and implement EU legislation into UK law.

The EU Directive and new Regulations:

- are designed to ensure that consistent procedures governing the introduction of new noise-related operating restrictions at airports are established across the European Union.

- will initially apply to our eight busiest airports plus London and Belfast City airports.

- do not require action to counter noise to be taken but set out a process that must be followed where such action is being contemplated.

- put in place a framework within which a 'balanced approach' to managing aircraft noise can be implemented on an airport-by-airport basis.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Aerodromes (Noise Restrictions) (Rules and Procedures) Regulations 2003 implement into UK law the provisions of Directive 2002/30/EC (OJ L85 28.3.02 p.40) on the establishment of rules and procedures with regard to the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at UK airports.

2. The Directive was adopted on 26 March 2002 and must be implemented in EU Member States by 28 September 2003.

3. A copy of the Directive can be viewed on the European Union's website at www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex (search under legislation and Directive document number - ((Year) 2002 (No.) 30).

4. The Regulations will apply to the following UK airports (and could apply to others in future as air traffic grows):

Birmingham
Edinburgh
Glasgow
London Gatwick
London Heathrow
London Stansted
London Luton
Manchester
London City
Belfast City

5. If banning noisiest aircraft at non-City airports is contemplated it is limited to those that meet the present International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) noise limitation standard ('Chapter 3') by a margin of 5dB or less. City airports may impose more stringent bans provided that they do not affect aircraft which comply with the ICAO 'Chapter 4' noise standards.

6. The Regulations can be obtained from The Stationery Office at PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN Tel: 0870 600 5522, Fax: 0870 600 5533 email: book.orders@tso.co.uk. The Regulations can also be viewed on Her Majesty's Stationery Office website at www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk from 25 July 2003.

7. The Department for Transport undertook a consultation with UK stakeholders between 31 July - 31 October 2002 on those aspects of implementation of the Directive in the UK over which there was flexibility. A Summary of Responses to the Consultation and the Government's view on the issues raised by the responses can be seen on the DfT website www.dft.gov.uk/aviation. Alternatively, hard copies can be obtained from:

Department for Transport, Aviation Environmental Division 1 Zone 1/33
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
telephone: 020 7944 4874
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk