Noise
We are subject to restrictions on departure noise and night flights at many airports worldwide. Major changes to current noise management systems are subject to the requirements of the ‘Balanced Approach’ established by the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These are designed to ensure that noise management is balanced and targeted.
Last year at Heathrow, we contravened the noise limits 47 times, a reduction of 28 per cent, principally as a result of Boeing 747-400 departures being delayed into the night period. However, we continue to look for new ways to reduce noise and work continues on the Departures Code of Practice, with other stakeholders, which will also include ground operations. At Heathrow, our Continuous Descent Approach adherence (for fuel efficiency and noise reduction) was 95 per cent for daytime and 94 per cent for night-time for the last calendar year, compared to 84 per cent for daytime and 88 per cent for night-time for the airport average.
Air quality
Aircraft engines are regulated for low altitude emissions and areas around many airports have to meet stringent air quality limits. To help reduce NOx emissions, we continue to use reduced take-off thrust to the lowest available when possible for our aircraft operations worldwide. We are also working with ICAO to define aircraft emissions’ characteristics and continue to work with CAEP to help them model the impact of aircraft emissions on local air quality.
British Airways NOx emissions to 1,000 feet (metric tonnes)
Terminal 5
In the planning for Terminal 5 an independent environmental assessment advisory group (EAAG) was established to minimise the environmental impact of the terminal’s design, construction and operation. Together with BAA and the EAAG, we focused on improving links to public transport, reducing noise and emissions, exploiting innovations in energy, water and waste management, and maximising the use of sustainable resources. Features included innovative vacuum flush toilets, taps and showers fitted with water-saving devices, using timber from managed sustainable sources for lounge furniture and veneers, and cladding shower pavilions with faux timber converted from recycled plastic milk bottles.
Using aircraft stands with fixed ground power and pre-conditioned air means we will rely less on aircraft auxiliary power units (APUs), reducing noise and carbon emissions.
Ground fleet
We are also improving our performance on the ground. In Terminal 5, we invested £25 million in 550 new vehicles, including 38 new buses specified to the future Euro 5 exhaust emission standard. Remote monitoring by telematics technology will be used to manage fleet efficiency. A fuel management system will be fitted to refuelling equipment at Heathrow. We are part of the Heathrow Clean Vehicles Programme which aims to improve the environmental performance of our ground vehicle fleet.