60% Noise Reduction
14.05.07Future Heathrow, the body promoting the sustainable growth of Heathrow, welcomed news from Boeing that its future aircraft will deliver major improvements in noise and local air quality around London’s premier airport. The plane maker says its new 787 ‘Dreamliner’ will have a noise footprint around Heathrow 60 per cent smaller than previous comparable aircraft such as the 767-300, whilst its re-modeled 747-8 will deliver a 30 per cent reduction in noise compared to earlier 747 models. The first test flight of the 787 will take place as early as July, with the new quieter aircraft entering service over the next two years. Future Heathrow also praised Boeing’s pioneering work on low Nitrogen Dioxide combustors on new aircraft, which will help dramatically reduce NOx emissions and improve air quality around the airport. Boeing managers delivered technical presentations on the new aircraft to local councilors and community leaders at the Heathrow Radisson Edwardian Hotel. Over the past 40 years aircraft noise levels have fallen some 75 per cent and fuel efficiency has improved by more than 70 per cent, bringing with it greater reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. Clive Soley, Campaign Director of Future Heathrow, said Boeing’s new aircraft and the Airbus A380 – which is due to begin passenger flights this autumn – showed how quieter, cleaner technologies would deliver greater environmental benefits to the communities around Heathrow. He added: “What is becoming very clear is that there are solutions to many of Heathrow’s environmental issues. Great strides have been made over the past 40 years, and new aircraft are now poised to deliver a cleaner, quieter future.”
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